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by the Brass Band of the Brindavan Campus - 12 Jan 2015
 

This year being the 90th year of Bhagawan’s Advent, the event is observed uniquely as an expression of gratitude to the Master Who championed the cause of character building. Commemorating the uniqueness of the occasion, this year, all the men campuses along with Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School boys team up together, alongside the women and primary wings. The event is observed in two session, prelaunch as well post lunch sessions.

 

 

The morning proceedings began with a grand welcome to The Divine Chancellor to the Hill View Stadium. Bhagawan was ushered into the Stadium at the stroke of 0800 hrs. in an open car by a string of escorts, Motor bikers, Flag-bearers, Veda chanters and the University Brass Band. Campus-wise march-past followed next, with each contingent filing past the Shanti Vedika, saluting The Divine Chancellor. The University Flag was then hoisted, followed by the Sports Meet Oath. The Sports Meet Torch soon made its way atop the hill, lighting up the “Sports Meet” Flame. The mascot for the year is “Flying Horse” and the theme for the Meet is “White & Orange – The Eternal Bond Of Love”.

String of offerings that followed next had a scintillating ‘Chinese’ Lion Dance, Acrobatics on German ‘Rolling’ Wheels, Daredevil Motorbike Stunts, all by the boys, displaying great stamina, courage, self-confidence, balance and harmony.


Nursing students from SSSIHMS – Whitefield then offered a colourful Dance-drill with a Chinese theme, before the final offering of the morning session by the girl students from the Anantapur Campus. ‘Bouncing Blues’ with Gym Ball ground drills, Aerial acrobatics, displaying ‘harmony within and without’, colourful ground patterns etc. were the highlight from the Anantapur Campus.


Mangala Arathi at 10:10 marked the end of the pre-lunch proceedings.


II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Annual Sports & Cultural Meet 2014

Thyagaraja’s soul search for his heart’s content, his Love For Lord Rama, had given hundreds and thousands of devotional compositions to the world of devotional music. This evening, when the students came forth with snippets after snippets of Thyagaraja stories, one after one, these songs as well burst forth filling the hall with the sublime feeling of love for God.

Presented with two narrators dwelling on the wonderful life of the Poet Saint, the drama began with the story of young Thyaga Brahmam’s initial tutelage under guru Sonti Venkata Ramanayya.

Continuing his journey of love for Rama with devotional singing Thyagaraja’s relentless pursuit got a boost when Rishi Narada presented him a rare treatise called “Swararnavam’ blessing him to propagate devotional music. Spurning riches and position, caring only for Rama and the role given by Lord Rama, back home Thyagaraj had to endure great suffering from his money-minded elder brother. This rivalry finally prompted his egotistic elder brother to take the worst step, throwing the Rama idol, dearly worshipped by Thyaga Brahmam, into River Cauvery.

Crestfallen, Thyagaraja went on wandering around, searching Rama… every moment of agony of his broken heart, gaping void within him groping around in darkness devoid of direction, every instance of pain, turned out to be a test from His chosen Lord and a boon to the world of devotional music. Every snippet presented in the evening, highlighting golden instances from the illustrious life had one such song to follow….making the evening a most memorable amd musical one. The emotion packed presentation ended on a blissful note with Thyagaraja celebrating the return of His Rama with Sita – Rama Kalyanam.

Some of the interesting episodes shown were the miraculous revival of a young man, fallen into the well, from death to life, darshan of Lord Balaji at the Tirupathi temple etc. The drama intertwined with beautiful songs and dance sequences turned out to be a audio-visual-devotional treat for the august assembly on the Makara Sankranthi eve. The hour-long presentation ended with a group song singing paeans to Lord Sai.

Earlier, the evening programme got off to a thunderous start with a couple of lilting tunes by the Brindavan Brass Band.

Bhajans continued and ended with Mangala Arathi at 1830 hrs.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Annual Sports & Cultural Meet

Saturday, January 11th, 2014

Spectacular Sports & Cultural Meet…

 

It was a beautifully cool morning when Bhagawan was symbolically ushered in to the stadium to the escort of motor bikers and University Brass Band. As is the convention for the past two years, Bhagawan was ushered in an open top car at the stroke of 0800 hrs.

After Bhagawan had ‘taken’ His special seat on the Shanti Vedika, the grand All Students’ March Past, from the four campuses—Anantapur, Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan and Muddenahalli — commenced. In a thrilling rally that followed next, disciplined band of colourfully decked students, tiny tots of the Primary School to senior students, marched past the Shanti Vedika, the Seat Of The Chancellor, to the lilting beats of the Institute Band. Each group, led by a captain carrying a distinctive flag, offered salutations to Bhagawan as it filed past the Santhi Vedika.

Customary procedures affiliated to the event followed next. The Institute Flag was hoisted first. Symbolising Love and Peace two white doves were released next followed by bunches of colourful balloons.  The ‘Olympic Torch” lit subsequently was carried by relays of pairs of runners to the top of Vidyagiri Hill where the “Olympic” flame was lit. The mascot for the year was “Flying Hanuman”, symbolizing courage, strength and valour.

The “Olympic” oath of fair competition in true spirit of sportsmanship was administered to all the participating students next.

The women’s campus from Anantapur was the first one setting the field for the morning. Beginning at a high note, declaring: “The motivation is His… He is the Doer…Everything is His…Nothing is ours”, colouful dancers forayed into the centre-stage, swaying merrily to the rhythm of music. Gutsy students with gumption displayed stunning feats riding their motorbikes with great control, displaying greater harmony. Beginning with saluting Bhagawan, the riders displayed a variety of stunning feats, criss-crossing each other veering at great speed, riding with flags in hand, performing yoga while balancing themselves precariously on a ladder, smashing through an obstacle, jumping through a ring of fire and leaping over a bunch of 15 students with immaculate precision. The bikers signed off in style with a united show of harmony, riding over seven bikes, balancing flags and the audience joined showering plaudits on these brave hearts.  This was followed by formation of a beautiful pattern with pyramid-shaped structures.

If stunts can be performed with bikes then why not with bicycles, seemed to be the message from the youngest campus in the group, SSSIHL – Muddenahalli as the young riders began their feats beginning the Muddenahalli programme. Exhibiting great wheeling skills, criss-crossing, balancing with flags dexterously, the young lads enthralled the audience with their innovative item that requires skill and practice. In a stunning display, one student walked effortlessly from one carrier of the cycle to another in motion, and if that was not enough, the student even walked backwards. Stunts on ramps, smashing obstacles etc. also followed. Tap dance, and synchronised dance and aerobic exercises were the other items by the campus.\

The Brindavan Campus began with innovative formations called “Celestial Rhythms” done on a raised structure. They displayed their skills with formations like cascading effect, balancing upside down, triangle formation to finally end with a formation of “We Love Sai”.

Cricket Drill followed next. Bringing in the finer aspects of the game, the drill displayed various cricketing strokes namely, sweep shot, forward defence and hook shot etc. Simulating real match-like situation of an India-England tie, the students then played a shortened version of cricket.

A disaster management programme was the final item for the session. Simulating a real-life situation in the face of disaster, the show turned out to be a good learning exercise for the capacity audience. The situation simulated was a burning 3-storey building with lives ready to burn inside. How to save lives from a burning building, how the affected are to be ferried to safer places, how to save a victim caught in fire etc. were shown before another simulation, wherein a motor cyclist struck down by a speeding car, injuring the victim’s leg, was quickly transported to an ambulance after tying a cloth on the affected part. Another educative item was how to make a makeshift stretcher with bedspread and two bamboos and in a dire situation, the victim’s shirt was used to carry him to the nearest hospital.

Disaster management during floods came next. In the precarious situation of a bridge damaged, the victims were rescued by making a makeshift bridge with ropes and even a human bridge was made by persons lying on poles. The Lord is the real Apadbandhava (rescuer in the face of obstacles) was the message conveyed to the spectators at the end. The morning programme concluded with the final formation of Brindavan students offering their heartfelt gratitude to Bhagawan followed by Mangala Arathi.

Evening Session

Bhagawan was ushered in at 1630 hrs. accompanied by loud burst of fireworks. The Brindavan Brass Band welcomed Bhagawan with lilting tunes escorting the Divine Chancellor. Chirpy tiny tots from Smt. Easwaramma English Medium High School welcomed Swami in an innovative way, with stilt walking and the tiny tots from Sri Sathya Sai Primary School followed, in skates.

The first to perform this evening were students from Smt. Easwaramma English Medium High School. As the students were ready to perform, a little one in the front row pointing to the large group of students said, “I know the secret of their happiness; it is because You Are always with them.” Their performance began with tiny tots dressed in costumes of fruit-bearing trees dancing to a melody. What followed was a thematic dance offering, tiny tots dressed as roosters and hens giving much colour variation. A couple of more dances followed before little gymnasts took over offering floor exercises on stilts.

The cynosure of all eyes, Sri Sathya Sai Primary School was to come next.  Offering much colour, artistry and aesthetic touch tiny tots ruled the roost for the next forty minutes offering an array of dances and floor exercises. Beginning with a traditional dance little gymnasts took over performing delectable acts with their floor exercises.

Tiny tots soon gyrated to a song carrying lotus flowers. Now it was the turn of skaters to do balancing acts. The skaters jumped an obstacle after getting elevation from a ramp. An interesting game of hockey followed with skates. Two teams Sathya and Dharma played for honours with the majority of the ball possession was with the Dharma team which eventually won the game by three goals.

Girls in bright blue costumes danced with luminescent sunflowers was followed by tiny tots doing a Punjabi dance. It was amusing to see tiny tots grooving to the tune of the song “Dama Dam Mast Kalandar.” Again it was the turn of gymnasts… followed by girls making undulating movements in a dance; it was beautiful to see them swaying to the song. The offering concluded with the final formation of all the students to the song “Sayeesha Nee Namam Entho Ruchi Ra” (Sai, how tasty is Your Name).

Two Chinese dances by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences followed next.

As the nursing students offered their obeisance to Bhagawan, the students from Prasanthi Nilayam – Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music and Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning wheeled a huge lighted stringed instrument in the symbol of love. The announcement was “Oh Cosmic Musician, we offer our hearts to You.” The first offering was by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, a vibrant invocatory dance.

Now the scene shifted to a giant 25 feet structure, where Wheel Wizards had something special to offer. Giant wheels – two cart wheels were manoeuvred by students as the wheels rotated with speed. Calling themselves “Wheel Wizards,” the students offered a variety of feats exhibiting great dexterity. Gymnastic feats followed before the “Malkhamb Masters,” offered balancing acts on poles. True to the dictum of Bhagawan: “Bend the body, mend the senses, end the mind, the students performed adroitly displaying great balancing skills.  Floor exercises on mats followed next had impressive feats like jumping through rings of fire etc.

Twilight was slowly giving into the shades of darkness and still much more was to come, this time with much of radiance. A dance with beams of luminescent lights followed. A dazzling display of men in action with their bodies stroked with lights of blue and white hues turned out to be a visual treat.

Dare-devilry followed next wherein 130 students of Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School literally played with fire in the next item. It was fire… fire everywhere. Cautioning the audience there was an announcement, not to emulate the stunts as they were performed with practice. Rotating and swinging balls of blazing fire wildly turned out to be mind-blowing.

Even as the performance for the evening concluded, remote-controlled lit planes soared in the sky giving a magnificent colourful flying exhibition. A fine display of fireworks lighted the sky as the students assembled for the final formation paying their obeisance to Bhagawan. Mangala Arathi at 1915 marked the end of the special day’s offering.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Sports & Cultural Festival 2013 gets underway…

Friday, January 11th, 2013

The annual Sports & Cultural Festival of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning for 2013 got underway this morning in the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View stadium marked with a rich fare of cultural programmes and sporting feats.

In the morning, at the stroke of eight, even as the ‘Sai Vahan’, the car symbolically carrying the Divine Chancellor made its entry gently gliding on the pathway, to the escort of motorbike outriders and flag bearers, to a catchy soothing music piece, a capacity crowd comprising students, staff, parents and general devotees sat in silence gripped in nostalgia, recalling the golden days of Bhagawan’s physical participation....read more

Annual Sports & Cultural Meet tomorrow…

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

Annual Sports & Cultural Meet of Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions will be held at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium tomorrow, 11 January 2o13. The programme commences at 0800 hrs. with the inauguration of the meet followed by the March Past, offering salutations to the Divine Chancellor. The day’s schedule is split into two sessions, with Brindavan along with Prasanthi Nilayam campuses featuring in the morning followed by five institutions, Smt. Easwaramma English Medium School, Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Muddenahalli and Anantapur Campuses and students from SSSIHMS, Whitefield, sharing the honours in the evening. The morning session will commence at 0800 hrs. and the evening at 1630 hrs.

The one day meet tomorrow will be followed by Cultural Presentations in the ensuing days, featuring various campuses.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Spectacular Sports & Cultural Meet…

At 0800 hrs. Bhagawan was symbolically ushered in the stadium. A convertible bearing the photograph of Bhagawan was escorted by motor bike riders, brass band of Prasanthi Nilayam and Anantapur Campus and the flag march squad. A throne with a photograph was placed on the stage.

The proceedings of this session began with the march past of the students of Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions. After the oath was administered to the students, the athlete squad of students in batches of two carried the traditional torch to be lit on the Hanuman Hill.

The lighting of the ceremonial flame was carried out the Game’s Mascot, Nandi, the celestial vehicle of Lord Siva atop the Hill. This marked the ceremonial commencement of Annual Sports and Cultural Meet 2012.

The first campus to make their presentation was the Prasanthi Nilayam students. The feats they performed were marked by skill, balance, dexterity, verve and athleticism. The first presentation was remote controlled hand gliders soaring in the sky and making perfect landing. These planes were astutely controlled by students.

A huge structure, a replica of the Institute’s emblems with two swans was then wheeled in the stadium. What followed was Yogasanas performed dexterously on ropes. They presented Mudras like Chin Mudra and Dhyana Mudra with perfection. Coordination and harmony with flags to the beat of Chinese drums was the next item. Calling themselves “Dynamists”, a group of students performed various aerobic exercises. Martial arts performed with Nunchakus and the finesse with they handled the traditional weapon was pleasing to the eye.

A contemporary dance performed with deftness was followed by Bhangra performed with verve. A display of Karate and performance of various Katas was the next item.

The students exhibited combat situations and crushed tiles like a seasoned Karateka. To top it all, an adventurous feat was performed on a student lying on a bed of nails; a slab stone was broken with sledge hammer. Students dressed as warriors exhibited real fight-like situations with sticks.

The last item of the Prasanthi Nilayam campus was breathtaking stunts on bikes. “Zoomsters,” as they were called, the students rode with ease while making various formations, criss-crossing each other at blinding speeds, playing guitar on a bike, exhibited perfect balance with a student climbing a ladder on the bike and a group of students making formations like lotus on a single bike.

Obstacles became obsolete in the hands of these students. They crossed with consummate ease barriers and smashed through a glass wall, jumped through a ramp at great speed and made the final formation saluting their Master, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

The second performance for the session was by the students of Anantapur Campus. Naming their presentation “Sai Seeking Almighty Inside,” the students performed an Egyptian Sufi dance and Dervishes dance of Turkey whirling and swirling to a song, formed pyramids with ease, made various formations on roller skates. The skaters displayed graceful movements, making synchronous formations. Their last performance was beautiful colourful formations with a rotating circular hoop-like structure. After their performance, the students made the final formation bowing to Bhagawan.

The session concluded with Mangala Arathi to Bhagawan at 1015 hrs.

Evening Session:

As in the morning session, Bhagawan was ushered into the stadium by a motorbike escort group. A beautiful photograph of Bhagawan placed in a convertible was brought into the stadium as the devotees had Darshan of their Lord. Then tiny tots offered bouquets at the throne placed on the stage.
 

“Sai is Everywhere Now and Forever Why Fear I am Here” was the theme of the presentation of Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Prasanthi Nilayam. As has been always, The Primary School presentation was a riot of colour, abounded with a spectrum of colourful hues suffused with synchronisation and coordination.

Tiny tots danced to lilting music and beats played in the public address system. If the sunflower dance wowed the audience with its innovation, an equally beautiful dance of twitter of birds was a treat; the flapping of wings seen from a distance gave a virtual feast to the eye. A group of boys making wonderful balancing acts too won plaudits from the audience.

The next performance was from the students of Smt. Easwaramma English Medium School. With perfectly coordinated movements, these tiny tots too added colour and variety to the evening session. The highlight was a Krishna dance with gopalas. The childhood pranks of Krishna were well portrayed; stealing of butter incident and killing of the serpent Kaliya etc. Lord Krishna holding the steeds of the horse and guiding the chariot in the Mahabharata war too was aptly portrayed by the students.

This was followed by a short performance by the students of College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Whitefield. A demonstration of Katas in the art of Karate and breaking of tiles with fire lit was displayed by the nursing students. Beautiful formations with spinning of ribbons and the formation of the word ‘Love’ with long tapes of cloth stood out in their performance.

The last programme of the evening session was from the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Brindavan Campus. They began with a display of Yogasanas invoking Sun God with Mantras. An exhibition of the game of football, volleyball, basketball followed next. The display of game of basketball needs special mention as the students spun the basketball in their forefinger with skill and dunked the ball in the basket after getting elevation from a ramp with dexterity.

What followed was synchronised movements on wheels by gymnasts. This item required coordination and balance to the core. Display of different strokes in the game of Cricket and making of various formations with LED lights embedded on them followed next. Calling themselves “Blazing Spirits,” the Brindavan students lit the evening sky with a fire drill. The precise movements of the torch bearers won special praise from the audience. Formations like Swastik, Sudarshan Chakra, “We Love You” and “Sai Ram” gave a beautiful sight in the fading day-light. The performance ended with Mexican wave movement, which was an icing on the cake of their performance.

Mangala Arathi was offered at 1840 hrs. that marked the grand finale of the Sports Day in Prasanthi Nilayam.

II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Annual Sports and Cultural Meet 2011
Day 1 & Day 2 Report, Photos & Video

Text & photo source - copyrights: Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust - sssbpt.org  - Radiosai.org  Prasanthi Diary -  Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation - h2hsai.org .  | Web layout - Photo graphic design : saibabaofindia.com  "SBOI" | - We gratefully acknowledge the publishers Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust &  Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation

Annual Sports and Cultural Meet 2011 -  Day 1 - Day 2
	11th Jan. Day 1 Photo slides 1	11th Jan. Day 1 Photo slides 2	11th Jan. Day 1 Photo slides 3	12th Jan. Day 2 Photo slides 4	12th Jan. Day 2 Photo slides 5	12th Jan. Day 3 Photo slides 6
	Video Day 1			Video Day 2			Annual Sports and Cultural Meet 2011 -  Day 2
	New Photos - 15th Jan. 2011   VALEDICTORY FUNCTION OF THE SPORTS AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Tue, Jan 11, 2011: Annual Sports and Cultural Meet 2011 of SSSIHL and Sri Sathya Sai Institutions got underway this evening at Sri Sathya Sai Vidyagiri Hill View Stadium in the immediate presence of the Divine Chancellor. Deviating from the existing practice of single day programme, this year's meet is conducted in the evenings alone, spreading over two days, 11th and 12th January. At the venue, in the evening, after month-long hectic training schedules and preparations, students from all the campuses along with staff members were ready and upbeat, welcoming the Divine Chancellor.
 

Bhagawan, clad in white, was ushered into the the stadium at the stroke of 1700 hrs.; The Divine Chancellor was escorted by a host of procession led by the Institute Band. A column of motorcyclists, Anantapur Band and flag bearers representing various houses followed the Institute Band from Prasanthi Nilayam escorting the Chancellor.

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Source & credits: copyrights-Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust,sssbpt.org Picture graphic layout - Saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

At the Shanti Vedika Bhagawan was received by the Vice Chancellor and representatives from all the three campuses and other educational institutions. Upon ascending the dais, Bhagawan lit the lamp officially inaugurating the meet. top

Even as He assumed His seat on the dais flanked by a host of dignitaries, student representatives from various campuses along with other institutions made a beeline unto Bhagawan greeting Him on the occasion. March-Past followed as various contingents of the three campuses and other educational institutions marched sprightly to the tune of the Institute Brass Band. This year, two more institutions, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, SSSIHMS, Whitefield and Smt. Easwaramma English Medium School, Prasanthi Nilayam are also participating in the meet.

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Source & credits: copyrights-Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust,sssbpt.org Picture graphic layout - Saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

 

The march-past was followed by the hoisting of the Institute Flag. This was followed by administering the oath of fair participation by the Institute Captain.

As Bhagawan lit the Games Torch, a special squad of athletes carried the same in turns, rounding the stadium moving up to the urn at the Hanuman Hill. Simultaneously, the mascot for the year’s meet, Multi Coloured Tropical Parrot, moved up in the rope, finally lighting the urn atop the Hanuman hill. Symbolising Peace and Unity, Bhagawan set free a set of three white doves and balloons went flying in the air marking the rejoice on the occasion. top

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Source & credits: copyrights-Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust,sssbpt.org Picture graphic layout - Saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

Photo slides #3 - Annual Sports and Cultural Meet 2011

 

This evening was reserved for Anantapur and Brindavan Campuses to perform. Anantpur Campus presented a twenty minute programme titled "Aim High Soar High". Beginning with daredevilry on Motor Bikes, they had interesting formations coupled with exercises on the poles at heights delighting the audience. A short presentation by the students of College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, SSSIHMS, Whitefield, Bangalore followed. The nursing students presented a thematic dance programme entitled HEALING, depicting the art of healing. top

The final presentation was by the Brindavan Campus. Beginning with the melodies of nascent Brindavan Band, students from the campus had chinese martial arts, drum music, colourful dance cum floor exercises with the theme "Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu..." to end up with a delectable display of aerial gymnastics with the theme WE LOVE SAI.  Mangala Arathi was offered at 1845 hrs. and Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram just after 1900 hrs.
 

Dignitaries present during the occasion included Dr. (Mrs.) J. Geeta Reedy, Minister for Commerce, Andhra Pradesh, Palley Raghunatha Reddy, MLA, Puttaparthi, Ms. Charu Sinha, DIG, Anantapur etc. Tomorrow's concluding session of the meet will have the tiny tots from Primary School and Easwaramma English Medium School taking their slots before seniors along with higher secondary children from Prasanthi Nilayam Campus ringing the curtain down. top

Wed, Jan 12, 2011: This evening, on the second and concluding day of the Sports and Cultural Festival, Bhagawan arrived at the stadium at 1715 hrs. The Divine Chancellor was accorded a rousing reception at His arrival with the Brindavan Band along with Little Lions from Prasanthi joining the motorbike escorters from all the three campuses.

The evening presentation was earmarked for Primary School, Easwaramma English Medium School followed by Prasanthi Nilayam Campus. Colourful pageantry of the little hearts from the Primary School ruled the stadium for the next one hour with intermissions coming in the form of little gymnasts performing acrobatic feats on the floor and on a mounted structure. There was dance to the tune of background music while the entire session promised a riot of colours.

With the sundown at the eastern horizon, floodlights turned on and the little hearts, exhibiting graceful movements, formed into various colourful combinations often receiving round of applause from the packed audience. Little Lions of Prasanthi also made an impressive outing in the evening regaling one and all. top

Photos: Sports and Cultural Meet 2011 -  Day 2    (Day -1 Photos)

Easwaramma English Medium School, in its maiden outing, made an impressive beginning with a thematic presentation depicting man's monkey mind. Dance and formations followed to the accompaniment of musical score. They ended the session with a formation showing WE LOVE YOU SAI declaring loudly to Bhagawan that, YOU ARE OUR EVERYTHING.

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VIDEO: 2011-01-12 ANNUAL SPORTS

The final programme was by the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus that included Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School. Presenting a huge indigenous plaster of paris structure of Lord Krishna, that was wheeled unto His presence, the hosts began their display with floor gymnastics by Higher Secondary Wing. Trained by Olympian Dimosthenis Tampakos from Greece children from Higher Secondary exhibited great dexterity and skill flexing their muscles showing various feats.
 

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Reminiscing the Unity Cup Cricket Match held in Prasanthi in 1997 cricketing actions were brought to live with a mock India vs. Rest of the World match. Following the higher secondary wing, seniors continued the gymnastic feats with perfection, once again trained by the same Dimosthenis Tampakos of Greece.  Star Wars, Angels and Devils etc. were some of the other items that lit the stadium before Prasanthi Lions went on prowl bringing the curtains down for the Annual Sports and Cultural Festival 2011.

Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi at 1910 hrs. and returned to Yajur Mandiram just after 1930 hrs.

Text & photo source - copyrights: Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust - sssbpt.org  - Radiosai.org  Prasanthi Diary -  Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation - h2hsai.org .  | Web layout - Photo graphic design : saibabaofindia.com  "SBOI" | - We gratefully acknowledge the publishers Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust &  Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation 

Report
 

Day 1
The Annual Sports and Cultural Festival occupies a prominent place in the calendar of events of the students’ curriculum in the hallowed Sri Sathya Sai Educational institutions. Students from colleges and schools and people from far and near come in large numbers to witness this grand spectacle of the students. This event is entirely organised and choreographed by the students and staff of the educational institutions. Showcasing of sports events is usually done on the 11th of every year with dramatic presentations on succeeding days and ends with the prize distribution function on the Sankranti festival. This year the sports events will be spanned over a period of two days and would be an evening affair. On the 11th evening, all the campuses marched sprightly to lilting tunes of the Institute’s brass band followed by an exhibition of daredevilry and rhythm by the Anantapur and Brindavan campuses with a short programme by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences. This was the maiden performance by the College of Nursing students.

 

Bhagawan arrived at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium at 5 p.m. in an immaculate white robe through the northern end of the stadium overlooking the Sri Sathya Sai Primary School. A motorbike escort of students drove in regally welcoming Bhagawan into the stadium. The Anantapur campus band, slow march squad bearing flags and the Institute brass band formed part of this grand procession. After Bhagawan ascended the dais, He lighted the ceremonial lamp to mark the beginning of the proceedings. At the outset, more than 1,600 students from Bhagawan’s educational institutions marched past the dais saluting Bhagawan. The first contingent was the tiny tots from Sri Sathya Sai Primary School followed by Smt. Easwaramma High School – English Medium (again a first performance by the school), Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences), Sri Sathya Sai Junior College for Women, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Brindavan Campus and Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus. The Revered Chancellor of the Institute, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba then hoisted the Institute flag and the Institute Captain administered the oath to take part in the sports events in the Annual Sports and Cultural Festival in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the honour of the country and the glory of Mother Sai. After the ceremonial lighting of the sports torch by Bhagawan, the athletes of the Institute in pairs carried the torch aloft to a point in the hill near the Chaitanya Jyoti museum from where the torch-bearer of the sports meet, a tropical multicoloured parrot took it to its destination, an urn at the Hanuman hilltop. The urn was lit to a thunderous applause from the audience. Bhagawan released doves symbolising peace as bunches of balloons soared in the sky. The Anantapur Campus band and the Institute Brass Band marched past the dais saluting Bhagawan. This marked the conclusion of the march past event.
 

The evening’s sports performance began with the sports and cultural events by the Anantapur campus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. The first item was showcasing of stunts on Apache 160 RTR motorbikes. The presentation was christened “Aim High, Soar High”. The feats included crisscrossing on bikes, balancing acts – some of them were truly stunning. An awe-inspiring stunt was jumping across girls lying on the ground after getting the elevation from a ramp, and smashing an obstacle with consummate ease. After the bike stunts was a cultural event featuring different formations with colourful bands of cloth.

The next presentation was Yogasanas on a structure designed like a ship. Students performed various postures on the ship’s mast. The formations and balancing acts were eye-catching and inspiring. The theme of this presentation was “Sai is the anchor, Sai is the lighthouse and Sai is the destination”. The last item, “Imagination is the highest kite” was an innovative performance with kites. Sankranti is the season for kite flying. Taking this cue, the students made formations with kites. After this, the students converged for the final formation releasing colourful balloons.

The next presentation was a short one from the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences). Dressed as nurses, they brought out the nobility of the nursing profession through various formations and dances.

The last presentation for the evening was from the students of Brindavan Campus. The first performance was from the brass band of the campus, which played a few pieces. The next item was a dance with balance and dexterity – the flavour and fragrance of Lord Jagannath of Puri. A beautiful backdrop of a peacock in full bloom with lights was an added attraction. They made various yogic postures and beautiful balances, one on the other. Dragon dance in typical Chinese style was performed by the students which gave the aura of the Chinese ambience. This performance was marked by rhythm and harmony on huge drums. A discerning viewer got a feel of the Chinese culture with martial artistes performing with the ferocity of a tiger. Shifting over to the ancient Indian style of martial arts, students showed combat formations and styles with swords and sticks followed by a demonstration of actual combat with sticks and swords.

The last performance for the evening was on a huge suspended structure. Students made beautiful formations beginning with 85 Years of Love. It was a treat to watch students joining each other’s legs and hands to make these formations. Calling themselves aerial acrobats, these messengers of love performed with skill, dexterity and balance. Their feats ended with the beautiful formation, “We Love You Sai – Yours Forever”. Arathi was offered to Bhagawan at 6.45 p.m. Thus ended, the first day of Sports and Cultural Festival of the Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions.

The second day’s performance will be by the students from Bhagawan’s educational institutions in Prasanthi Nilayam including the institute, the higher secondary school, the primary school and the new entrant Smt. Easwaramma English Medium High School.
 

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ANNUAL SPORTS AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2011 -  Day 2

The second day of the Sports Festival belonged to the students of Prasanthi Nilayam. It was a carnival of colour from the students of Sri Sathya Sai Primary School and Easwaramma High School while the students of Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School and Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning presented a programme of gymnastics and roller skating with interludes of dances with lights.
 

On this evening, Bhagawan came to Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium at 1715 hrs. preceded by a motorbike escort squad. The procession also had the pageantry of lion dance from the Institute, dragon dance from the Primary School and the brass band of Brindavan students. The first to perform in this session were the students from Sri Sathya Sai Primary School. “Universe is a Divine Play in His Safe Hands” was the backdrop for their programme.

It conveyed that Bhagawan’s outstretched, all-embracing hands were protecting the universe. As in the previous years, there was a riot of colours in the performance of Sri Sathya Sai Primary School with a mix of gymnastics. The first presentation was a dance by the students from the girls section to a song which conveyed that they are unable to comprehend what merit they have done in their previous birth to be in the Divine Presence, to have the invaluable Darshan of the Lord in human form.

The next performance was floor exercises typically performed by gymnasts. The students somersaulted and crossed human hurdles after getting elevation from a ramp. Gymnastic feats on a structure was their next performance. The balancing acts performed head downwards, one holding the other and Dhanur Asana (Asana in the pattern of a bow) were performed with dexterity and skill. There was also a display of dragon dance and lion dance.
 

Girls dressed as Gopikas with Lord Krishna in their midst was the next performance. This dance transported the audience to the Vraj Brindavan days of Dwapara. A colourful dance with kites by the tiny tots, a Kavadi dance – traditionally performed by Lord Muruga devotees in Tamil Nadu and a peacock dance by the tiny tots won the hearts of the audience. A dance by girls with flowers arranged in a semicircular pattern; the speciality of this dance was the colours of flowers kept changing in a trice just by swaying to and fro. This spectacle won the plaudits of the audience. With this performance, the presentation of Primary School students came to a close. All the students converged for the final formation with placards displaying “We are Yours”.

Smt. Easwaramma English Medium School, the new entrant to this Sports and Cultural Festival, gave a good account of themselves with a short performance of dances and floor exercises choreographed to perfection. They ended the session with a formation showing WE LOVE YOU SAI declaring loudly to Bhagawan that, YOU ARE OUR EVERYTHING.

The last performance for the evening session was the students from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School and Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music. At the outset, a few students wheeled in a huge monolith idol of Lord Krishna playing flute towards the dais for their Lord to see and behold the efforts they had put in over a number of days to create this masterpiece.
 

The performances of the Prasanthi Nilayam students was a healthy mix of sinew and skill. The first item was gymnastics on vaulting horse, parallel bars and balancing acts on a structure. All these were done with agility, dexterity and skill. Events like parallel bars and vaulting horse require a lot of practice to perform even by professionals. The students exhibited these skills quite adeptly. Roller skating, another event displayed by the students exhibited their raw power. The speed of skaters moving in tandem, crossing hurdles, ramp jump over six students, jumping over a wall and jumping over a wall of fire is worth mentioning here.
 

After two days of Annual Sporting and Cultural extravaganza, Prasanthi witnessed the valedictory function honouring the heroics of students, on the 15th January evening in the immediate Divine presence of Bhagawan.

In the evening, Sai Kulwant Hall, the venue, had colour and glitter around, reflecting the celebrating mood of the twin occasion, the valedictory function and the auspicious Makara Sankranthi. Weekend ensured a capacity audience and additional venue, Poornachandra Auditorium, had its shutters up for the devotees.

In the evening, emerging at the stroke of 1800 hrs., Bhagawan went straight into the Poornachandra Auditorium to bless the convergence before coming into the Sai Kulwant Hall. Entering into the Sai Kulwant Hall at 1820 hrs., Bhagawan's caravan had the Institute Band and Flag Bearing Squad, preceding Him, marching gracefully escorting The Chancellor.

The dais in the Sai Kulwant wore a special decorative costume, adorned with trophies and shields on both sides, meant for distribution. As Bhagawan arrived on the dais, He blessed the trophies and shields before lighting the lamp on the stage sanctifying the occasion.

Proceedings began with Sri Sanjay Sahni, Principal, Brindavan Campus of SSSIHL addressing the gathering , introducing the occasion to the audience. Sun's northward journey is an occasion to remind man of His Godward journey, said the speaker greeting one and all on the auspicious occasion. Referring to the symbolic incident in Shankaracharya’s life, wherein little shankara was caught by a crocodile compelling his mother to allow him to pursue the line of a renunciate, the speaker said man should disentangle himself from worldly entanglements by turning his vision inward and the easiest way to achieve this is to dedicate each and every action unto God, and thus the significance of Sports and Cultural Festival.


 

Prize distribution for the participating institutions followed next. As the names were announced, representatives from various institutions, namely, Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, SSSIHL - Brindavan Campus, Mirpuri College of Music, SSSIHL - Anantapur Campus, SSSIHL - Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School - Prasanthi Nilayam, all came in the order to receive trophies from the Divine hands. Subsequently Bhagawan blessed certificates and medals to be distributed among the winners from all the institutions.

Conveying His immense blessings, Bhagawan asked Sri Sanjay Sahni to announce that He felt immense joy at the performance of the students during the festival. Special mention was made on the drama presentation held on 13th Jan evening.

Special benedictions were sent to the Muddenahalli Campus and Smt. Easwaramma English Medium School along with College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, SSSIHMS, Whitefield, Bangalore and Sri Sathya Sai Junior College, Anantapur. As Bhagawan sat on the stage, there was a flurry of greetings from students related to the Sports theme. Bhagawan blessed all of them.

Blessed Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage. As the distribution went on Institute Band played some soulful tunes that included bhajans.

Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi at 1950 hrs. and retired to Yajur Mandiram at 2000 hrs. As His car slowly moved past, Institute Band and Flag Bearing Squad joined Him forming the caravan.
 

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Text & photo source - copyrights: Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust - sssbpt.org  - Radiosai.org  Prasanthi Diary -  Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation - h2hsai.org .  | Web layout - Photo graphic design : saibabaofindia.com  "SBOI" | - We gratefully acknowledge the publishers Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust &  Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation