Tribal Cultural Dance, Jodi Shanka Dance, was the first item, wherein tribal youth blew ‘twin-conch’, dancing to the tunes,  enacting various scenes from Bharat’s rich cultural glory, from the epics. Scenes depicting Bhagawan Sri Krishna as the Eternal Charioteer, Lord Hanuman flying over, the Advent of Kalki Avatar on the horse etc. were displayed along with various other scenes to the rhythmic backdrop music emanated from the drums and cymbals.

The State that earned the rich inheritance of devotional chanting from none other than Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, epitome of devotion, fashions the same even today with tribals and other devotees in the state follow the style of ecstatic devotional  chanting. Next to come was this display of Congregational Chanting  of the Divine Name to the accompaniments of various instruments such as Dholak, Mrudangam, Ghanta and Kahali.

Sri Krishna Leela Madhuri, a dance ballet followed, presented by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Mandir, Bhadrak. The presentation was based on the writings of renowned devotional poet Banmali Das, who lived during the 12th century. As various scenes from the epochal life of the Avatar came to the fore to the accompaniment of soothing Oriya Melody, audience in the hall sat spellbound watching the spectacle as if got caught in a reverie.

Sai Symphony, a Musical Programme by the Youth from the State, both men and women was the final item for the evening. Upon the presentation, groups of children and youth lined up for photograph session. Bhajans by the State troupe continued and ended with the Thursday Special, Hey “Shiva Shankara Namami Shankara…” in Bhagawan’s mellifluous voice.

Prasadam was distributed and Mangala Arathi was offered at 1850 hrs.

Earlier, before the commencement of the programme, Sri P. Jagannath Prasad Rao, State President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations – Odisha delivered a brief introductory speech.  In his brief talk, the State President touched upon Bhagawan’s special love for the State, often expressed and exhibited by Bhagawan. Echoing feelings of gratitude for Bhagawan’s “Love In Action”, rehabilitating thousands of homeless people from the State, aftermath of the floods that wreck havoc in September 2008, Sri Rao echoed that Puri and Parthi are the same and so is Lord Jagannath and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai.

II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

This morning’s procession began at 0830 hrs. from the birthplace of Bhagawan, Lord Shiva Temple, and moved along the main road. Led by a group yellow clad men blowing ‘twin conch’, followed by a group of enthusiastic drummers beating rhythmic tunes, the procession, infectious of devotional exuberance, moved through the main road in a measured pace granting an audio visual treat to hundreds of onlookers. The men in the front were followed by a group of men in drum, who often turned excited, jumping and dancing to their drum beats, followed by another set of men playing cymbals, joining in circular dance movements.

In the centre was a small chariot carrying Lord Jagannath, Sister Subhadra and Brother Balabadra.

A small group of tribal dancing woman followed the men, that was followed by hundreds of women carrying auspicious ‘kalasas.’ Another huge coloumn of women joined moving in tandem, often bursting into eerie whistling, typical of East India tribal tradition.

Namasankirthan group of men, in yellow scarves, followed, singing bhahjans and towards the end came a huge chariot with a smiling Bhagawan in the backdrop, with the Seat Of The Divine at the centre.

This morning affair was full of spectacle, drama and colour, in line with the original festive splendour in Puri, which is slated as a typical Indian fair of unmatchable proportions.

The State of Odisha is currently in Prasanthi Nilayam with a strong contingent of over 1800 deovtees, that included over 200 tribal devotees, who are on their maiden visit, on a Parthi Yatra.

In the meantime, a three day International Sai Youth Retreat, for Region 4 nations of SSSSO – Worldwide got under way this morning in the Purnachandra Auditorium.

II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II