Programme Highlights

“Kanha Aao Raas Rachao”

September 21, 2008 at Ravindra Natya Bhavan, Margao, Goa

Amidst the scenic beauty and the cool breeze of the land of ‘sun, sand and rhythm of the soul’ - Goa, the beautiful people of Goa were presented with an evening of devotional music.

Chinmaya Swaranjali, Mumbai presented a soulful evening of music and dance on September 21st 2008 at Ravindra Natya Bhavan, Margao based on the theme – “Kanha Aao Raas Rachao”. The Honourable Chief Minister of Goa, Mr. Digambar Kamat was present as the chief guest for the evening. The programme started with the inauguration and lighting of lamp by Mr.Kamat.

Conceptualized and led by Shrimati Pramodini Rao, the programme took the audience on a delightful journey through the Krishna Avataar. Beginning with the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight and Vasudev bringing the baby Krishna to Gokul in “Madhraat me janam bhayo”, the audience were then taken through the happy scene of celebration among the folks of Gokul on seeing the bonny baby Krishna in “Gokul Pragat Bhaye”, the antics and mischief of the “golmatol” Krishna, stealing butter and teasing the women folklore of Gokul in “Chanchala Chal”.

Then as Ma Yashoda rocked the little baby Krishna to sleep in the soul-stirring composition of our Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji – “Halravay Dulrai”, one cannot help but echo Surdasji’s emotion of absolute bliss. The musicians swayed the audience with their wonderfully harmonized music. Then with Meerabai’s bhajan set to music composed by Shrimati Sushila Acharya – “Jaago Bansivaare”, the residents of Gokul are increasingly impatient to see young Krishna wake up.

The Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu was beautifully portrayed in Shri Purandaradasa’s eternal composition in Kannada “Baare gopamma ninna”. The pleasant compèring and beautiful slideshows also had everyone present captivated. In “Moko Jaane De” and “Vrindavan Kunja Bhavana” young Krishna’s raas leela and His hypnotic effect on the gopis was portrayed. The wonderful dances left the viewers enthralled and tapping their feet along.

The unshaken faith of the true devotee towards the Lord was portrayed in Sushila Amma’s composition and Meerabai’s written “Meera Magan Bhai” and Gurudev’s poem “He answers my prayers” with music composed by Pramodini Didi. The audience was then taken through a few verses of the Bhagwad Geeta set to music composed by Pramodini Didi and it was indeed a journey from “Swara to Ishwara” in the true sense.

The joy of invoking the Lord’s name through Namavali was experienced with the renditions of “Shyam Sundara”, “Sada Nirantara” and “Hari Bol Hari Bol”. “Aaj Gokulat Rang” and “Raat Shyam Sapne Me Aaye” had the audience mesmerised and upbeat.

Pramodini Didi spoke to the audience about the activities of Chinmaya Swaranjali and also told them about Chinmaya Nada Bindu, the international residential school for music and dance at Kolwan and the some of the upcoming events at Chinmaya Nada Bindu this year.

We congratulate the sincere efforts of Chinmaya Mission, Margao for organising the programme so well. Further they made each and every member of the Mumbai group feel at home. Param Pujya Gurudev’s grace and the combined earnest efforts of all ensured the programme was a grand success.