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Annual Sports and Cultural Meet
2006
The Annual
Sports and Cultural Meet of Sri Sathya Sai Educational
institutions is a much sought after event every year. Devotees
and parents of wards throng Prasanthi Nilayam days ahead of this
gala
festivity, as it is called in Prasanthi parlance – The Annual
Sports and Cultural Festival. To the many festivals that dot the
Prasanthi calendar, the sports and cultural festival has added
significance since it is performed by the students of Sri Sathya
Sai Educational Institutions of Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan and
Anantapur Campuses under the divine guidance of Revered
Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Like the bygone years,
this year too, the event had all the richness of quality,
colour, exuberance, enthusiasm, valour, courage, balance and
skill.
Being the 25th
year of the Institute's formation, the students and staff
extended a warm welcome to everyone present in the Hill View
stadium. Bhagawan arrived in the stadium in a sparkling yellow
robe
at
8.00 a.m. "The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is
here", was the announcement made in the Public Address system.
Truly, with Bhagawan in our midst, there cannot be a happier
moment. Crimson caparisoned Sai Geeta, Bhagawan's dear elephant
led the procession followed by the escort team comprising
students in motor bikes entered the stadium as the band troupe
of the Anantapur campus played sonorous notes. Midway through
the stadium, the Prasanthi Nilayam campus brass band stirred up
a lively note when the contingent of Lion dancers welcomed
Bhagawan. Bhagawan was received in the dais by the wardens and
principals of the three campuses. At 8.10 a.m., Bhagawan lighted
the ceremonial lamp to mark the commencement of the proceedings.
Then tiny tots from the Primary school came to the dais to offer
their obeisance to Bhagawan.
The march past
parade commenced with students from Sri Sathya Sai Primary
School in their regal
attire marching sprightly to the beats of the brass band of
Prasanthi Nilayam campus. They were followed by the girls
section of Sri Sathya Sai Primary School. It was then the turn
of students from the Anantapur campus of the Institute, followed
by students from Sri Sathya Sai Junior college, Anantapur.
Marching contingents from Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary
School, Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan campus of the Institute,
Prasanthi Nilayam campus, Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of
Music and Postgraduate students' squad from
Prasanthi
Nilayam campus of the Institute followed suit. Finally ringing
up the rear of the parade was the award winning squad from the
Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan campus of the Institute. A
special squad of the Institute brought the Institute flag to be
hoisted by the Revered Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
The Institute captain then read out the oath which was repeated
by all the students. A part of it is reproduced for the benefit
of readers. "We, the children of Sai will take part in the
Sports Meet in true spirit of sportsmanship, respecting and
abiding by the rules which govern them for the glory of sport,
nation and our beloved Mother Sai."
Bhagawan
lighted the torch and released pigeons and balloons to mark the
happy occasion. A song which ran as follows was played in the
background: "Flame of truth, flame of joy, flame of peace…" as
students in pairs carried the torch to the mascot of this year's
sports meet, Peacock which lit the sports meet urn at the
Hanuman hilltop.
Education is
about building men of character. The students of Sai are in the
society, for the society, but not of the society. With these
words, an impressive display of items was presented by the
students of Prasanthi Nilayam. A revolving tower with the words,
Purity, Patience and Perseverance was displayed
in the background which formed the theme of their presentation.
Huge figures on stilts representing diverse sections of society
added colour to the occasion. A medley of dance and martial arts
followed. The Prasanthi Lions displayed their grit and
determination with daredevilry coupled with aesthetic flavour.
Lion dance, which is famous in China and the Far East was
displayed with dexterity by the students. What takes months to
learn was mastered by these students in a few days. Dancing to
the lively beats, the Prasanthi Lions offered their obeisance to
Bhagawan. Then a breathtaking feat of pillar crossover, as it is
called in Chinese parlance was achieved with perfection.
Activity is the
only passport to happiness. What followed was symmetric movement
on poles. The focus of attention then shifted to two giant
wheels each weighing two tonnes each. The performing students
saluted Bhagawan from atop the wheel. Feats like hanging with
their head downwards, headstand, Padmasana and Chakrasana were
performed from the giant wheels with adroitness. Bend the body,
mend the mind and end the senses. A scintillating display of
acrobatics like snooping nosedive, acrobatics on rings, on
cartwheels and jumping over fire was displayed by the students.
Playing drums with ease and exchanging drums without missing a
beat was the next performance.
Huge flags were
swayed in the background. When the going gets tough, only the
tough gets going.
Students climbed smooth slippery logs of wood and performed
various Asanas. Calling themselves Delta Force Warriors, these
indomitable warriors made rhythmic movements. The next
performance was display of Yogasanas with Siva Tandava dance in
the background. A delightful mix of items followed – shooting
balloons in the air, balancing on moving wheels, dunking of
basketball in the basket with hurdles at every step and forming
pyramids was displayed in the performing area.
At the end of
the performance, the staff of Prasanthi Nilayam campus marched
to the performing area carrying flags while students carried
beautiful portraits and sets used during the performance. They
converged to pay their heartfelt obeisance to Bhagawan.
The last
programme of the morning session was presented by the students
of Anantapur campus of the Institute. The theme of their
presentation was Unity of Religions. "Religions are many but
goal is one. Clothes are many, but yarn is one. Jewels are many,
but gold is one. Cows are many, but milk is one. Beings are
many, but breath is one. Stars are many, but sky is one. Castes
are many, but humanity is one." "Let us all move together, let
us all grow together, Let us all stay united and grow in
intelligence together Let us live together with friendship and
harmony." A lively performance of gymnastics followed. Acrobats
performing gymnastics on top of jeeps like Sarvangasana, lotus
formation, students perched on the sides of a pole performing
chakrasana while a student made a
flying fish appearance on the top of the pole, cartwheel,
headstand, Christmas tree formation, Dhanur Asana, revolving on
stick, were some of the feats performed with dexterity, skill
and balance by the students of Anantapur campus. Truly, the
students should be having nerves of steel and muscles of iron to
perform these feats. Of course, their love for Bhagawan and His
grace of Bhagawan has made such stupendous feats possible. The
next item was flag march with flags of various hues. The last
item of their performance was a dance coupled with rhythmic
movements on hoops. Students strapped huge beautiful butterflies
on their bodies and performed an undulating dance. Unity leads
to purity and purity to divinity was their motto. All the
students assembled to pay their obeisance to Bhagawan. Thus,
ended a memorable morning programme.
In the evening,
Bhagawan arrived in the stadium at 4.00 p.m. The Primary School
students gave a unique welcome to Bhagawan. As Bhagawan's car
was nearing the stage, a few students clinging one on another
walked ahead of the car giving an appearance of contortionists.
After Bhagawan reached the dais, tiny tots offered bouquets to
Him. The first item of their performance was a dance by primary
school girls welcoming Bhagawan with the song, "Prasanthi Vasa
Swagatam, Puttaparthi Pureesa Swagatam, Swagatam, Suswagatam."
Suddenly hordes of Vanara army came out of shells and swarmed
the performing area with
mace
in their hands. They performed a lively dance and opened scrolls
of Bhagawan's picture signifying they have Bhagawan in their
heart of hearts. The climax was the entry of Rama and Lakshmana
amidst the Vanara hordes.
The students
displayed wonderful show of skill and balance through their
gymnastic performance. Christening themselves Sai Wheels, three
students catching each other rolled on the ground giving the
appearance of a wheel. They also offered Pranams to Bhagawan by
admirably balancing one on another. There was a virtual riot of
colours when students in their yellow dress with lamps in front
of them performed a dance. Then the students performed a lively
dance in their dazzling silver and blue
dresses. A group of roller skaters performed heroic stunts on
skates like jumping one over the other, crossing obstacles on
skates. Their performance left the audience in amazement at
their skill and perfection. The Primary School students too like
their seniors did wonderful feats on the slippery poles. They
made beautiful formations, precariously balancing themselves on
stomach on top of the pole, balancing head downwards and sliding
in the same direction. The feat of balancing on the pole with
legs and holding a flag won repeated plaudits from the audience.
The next item was a dance by tiny tots in their sparkling yellow
dress with large flowers strapped on their bodies.
The items kept
coming one after another like a cascade. Dexterous balancing on
ropes was the next item. Hanging with head downwards, Shavasana
on ropes from a great height, somersaulting on
ropes
were some of the feats performed by the students. And what not,
a human hoop was formed and boys started jumping through the
hoop. The last item was a dance by Primary School girls dressed
as angels and in dresses representing clouds. Their breathtaking
performance ended with final formation of all the students
offering obeisance to Bhagawan. A touching song was played in
the background: "We all have come to sing. We love you dear Sai.
Having found such loving God, we have only to rise and shine."
As the Primary
School students were leaving the performing area, the students
of Sri Sathya Sai Deenajanoddharana Pathakam were getting ready
with their performance. This particular project was taken over
by Bhagawan as He is the refuge of the forlorn. Bhagawan has
given them food, raiment and shelter and also deposited 1 lakh
rupees for each boy. They are educated with the latest
technology including training in computers. Their performance
was christened Chadarang – a form of warfare where
transformation is achieved without elimination, the enemy is
subdued without killing.
A war ensues
between black soldiers on one hand whose only goal is
annihilation and are the symbol
of egoism and white soldiers. Discrimination is better than
valour. Forgive and forget is the watchword. At the end, the
white king forgives the black king and there is peace. A song
"Love is God, love is life, love is everything is played in the
background. Then one of the inmates of the Ashram narrates their
deplorable condition before coming under the loving care of
Bhagawan. Bhagawan has taken them in His fold and has given them
food, raiment and shelter. He also gave instances how some
inmates were cured of Tuberculosis and Cancer completely. They
are able to read, write and sing Bhajans. To top it all, he said
that an inmate is even going to join B.Sc (Information
Technology).
The
last group to perform for the day was from the Brindavan campus
of the Institute. Strength and valour, beauty and grace – these
were the hallmarks of their programme. The first item was Dragon
dance. Tone the body to realise the goal of life. The dragon's
pursuit of the pearl symbolises the humanity's untiring pursuit
of perfection in life. The dance requires team work, agility and
strength of arms. Swirling the dragon throughout the performing
area, they performed the dance with aplomb, winning time and
again applause from the audience.
The next
performance was a medley of different types of martial arts like
Kalaripaitu, Karate, Kettukadi (stick fight) and fight with
mace. Kalaripaitu is the martial art from the State of Kerala.
Efficient swordsmanship is the pinnacle of Kalaripaitu. The
artiste requires agility and strength for this martial art.
According to legend this martial art was brought by Parasurama
to earth.
The martial art
began with Pranams to God. The students displayed various Katas
in Karate gracefully. Karate helps in eliminating weakness
and
indecisiveness in the mind. Then there was a display of stick
fight, Urmi fight with flashing steel and fight with mace. The
main emphasis of this performance was how the mind and body
reacts in unison instinctively to face the opponent. A wonderful
display of blindfolded wielding of Nunchaku followed. The
agility of the performers was a sight to watch. The key to
success in martial arts is reading the mind of the opponent was
the announcement. The last item of their performance was display
of sheer human raw power. They jumped through rings, crossed
human
hurdles of a few boys, breaking pots with lethal power and
consummate ease and to crown it all smashing blazing tiles with
hand. The performance ended with the final formation and offer
of obeisance to Bhagawan by the Brindavan campus students. Arati
was offered to Bhagawan at 6.30 p.m. and then Bhagawan left for
His abode from the Stadium.
Thus, ended a
memorable, outstanding and remarkable Sports and Cultural Meet
in Prasanthi Nilayam.
Jai Sai Ram
Source:
http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/sports_meet06_report.htm
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