The premises of Sai Ka Aangan came alive with glee and merriment as it celebrated its Eleventh Vasant Utsav on the 14th of February 2013. The ambience was lively with the vibes of jubilations that touched everybody with soothing solace. The décor of the temple was done up with basanti marigolds and embellished with Baba’s chaddars, the motifs of everlasting blessings and assurance of protection by Shri Sainath. The reverberations of Sai mantras transformed the atmosphere to that of spiritual relief from earthly worries.

The programme began with the lighting of the lamp by Ms. Kumkum Bhatia and Smt.Kusum Uddhav Rao Deshpande, fondly referred to as Kusum Tai, the daughter –in-law of Shri Madhav Rao Deshpande,(Shama),who was a steadfast devotee of Shri Sai Baba, and served Baba during His lifetime. Kusum Tai came all the way from Shirdi to be a part of this grand celebration. Ms. Kumkum Bhatia then accorded a symbolic welcome to Shri Satpathyji by offering a shawl and a skull cap at the seat designated for Him. The invocation was done by Anamya, a seven year old girl, who offered the Ganesh Vandana and Saraswati Vandana recital and also presented a Sai bhajan composed by Shri Satpathyji, at the feet of Shri Sainath. Her melodious voice left the audience awestruck with a wonder at her ability to emote spiritualism at this tender an age.

As wished by Shri Satpathyji, the theme for this year’s celebration was Punjabi folk dances and Sufi music. The in house performance of Bhangra and Gidda was a carnival of its own kind. The rhythm, lyrics, music, drum beats as well as dance steps left a long lasting magic charm on the audience. The colourful outfits and parandis of the participants and the devotee workers added to the charm of the Aangan and seemed to prove true that a thing of beauty is indeed a joy forever. A documentary on the conception, birth and growth of Sai Ka Aangan was like retrospection on how this abode of Shri Sainath came into existence with the blessings of Shri Satpathyji. The film was prepared by Shri Karan Rai as a mark of respect to the Sadguru.

The qawwals ,Chand Nizami and his troupe from the Dargah of Nizamuddin Aulia stole the show with their Sufi melody. They sang in praise of the master and the passion of being in love with Him. It was Valentine’s Day indeed at the Aangan, because the shayaris of the qawwals offered nothing but love at the lotus feet of the Sadguru on behalf of all those who were present for the occasion. The vibrant programme culminated with a unique medley of Sufi songs with Bhangra dance… the entire venue burst with the grandeur of spiritual bliss, physical energy and mental rejuvenation in the midst of the joy of union with the omnipresent.

Ms. Jyotsna Rai, who has been the Master of the Ceremony for all major events at Sai Ka Aangan, kept the audience in the know of the progress of the occasion. Her elocution was commendable as always and added special touch to the programme. As she announced the names of the participants, they were presented with souvenirs and shawls used by Shri Sainath. The mementos were presented by Kusum Tai and Ms. Kumkum Bhatia, after which the latter gave the vote of thanks.

The worker devotees at the Aangan were particularly self motivated and left no stone unturned for making the festivity a grand success. Everyone did their bit from welcoming and escorting guests, arranging for the presentation of souvenirs, taking care of the shoe stands, selling books of Baba at the book stall; to serving langar Prasad… every little gesture was a mark of karmic tribute to their beloved Sadguru. As Langar Prasad, everyone was delighted to have paranthas from the famous Paranthe wali Gali of Chandi Chowk, adding up to the old world charm of Sai ka Aangan.

It was Basant Panchami and Sai Ka Aangan was decorated with marigold flowers giving it a beautiful yellow décor. Closer to its vicinity, an all yellow amphitheatre was geared up to celebrate the 10th Vasant Utsav under the aegis of Shri Sai. At the time the crescent moon appeared to shower celestial blessings on Sai Ka Aangan, all seats were occupied by the audience and few of them were still waiting to be accommodated.

The cultural evening started with traditional welcome of Revered Shri CB Satpathyji. Thereafter, he was felicitated by Sai devotees from Assam with Japi, Gamocha, Xorai and Paguri which is presented to spiritual leader as a mark of respect and salutation. After lighting the traditional lamp, Shri Satpathyji gave permission to begin the festivity.

For the first time, technology made its debut at Sai Ka Aangan and a state-of-the-art backdrop was prepared for the event. Beamed with the help of three projectors, a huge screen depicting portrait of Shri Sai welcomed the audience and gave a pointer for the things to unfold. The programme was also live-streamed through internet for the benefit of Sai devotees all over the world.

The theme of cultural evening was Bihu dance by a world known troupe of dancers led by Shri Somnath Borah Oja. With the background of green fields in a hilly terrain, the artists from Assam rendered Guru Vandana on resounding notes of drum beats. Thereafter, they created a series of beats based on a rhythmic fusion of drums, indigenous trumpet and cymbals which induced foot-tapping delight among the audience.After the Dhol beats, the audience was shown glimpses of previous celebrations of Vasant which revived their memories of time gone past. Now, it was time for temple artists to offer their obeisance by giving a dance performance. Majestically dressed in Marathi outfits, these amateur artists gave a display of classical dance to the melodious songs of Smt Manga Apte which brought louder cheers from the audience.

As the crowd sat galvanized on the notes of drums and classical dance, a troupe of twenty artists entered the stage and performed Bihu dance signifying rejoice and jubilation at the time of a good harvest. For nearly twenty minutes, they gave a superb demonstration of stamina and agility and synchronized movement which enthralled the spectators making them spellbound. Working to a crescendo with music and dance, the troupe brought out a spectacle of dance and music notes which will remain in the memory of for a long time.

After the cultural festivity, Shri C B Satpathyji addressed the Sai devotees and emphasized the importance of practising simplicity in the path of Shri Sai. He also gave away cash awards and mementos to the artists and praised their efforts to make the evening a memorable event. Concluding the event, Ms Kumkum Bhatia extended vote of thanks to each and everyone who were instrumental behind the success of the programme. Thereafter ,a feast of delicious delicacies was served to devotees and the happiness continued all through the evening.

Revered Gurujee Shri Chandra Bhanu Satpathyji was conferred with “Divya Sangeet Shiromani Award” in recognition of His outstanding contribution in the field of music, lyrics & composition of devotional music. The award presentation ceremony was held on 4th November 2011 at Idcol Auditorium, Bhubaneshwar by Shirdi Sai Socio Spiritual and Cultural Trust.