Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji after Tyagaraja and Venkatamakhi aradhana – Mysore – March 9, 2013
We have just now completed the Tyagaraja and Venkatamakhi aradhana. We have offered the Pancharatna keertanas to the best of our abilities. It is a tradition to offer these pancharatnas, which are like 5 flowers on the occasion of Tyagaraja aradhana. We also follow the tradition of celebrating Venkatamakhi aradhana every year without fail. Today’s program was wonderful. Just a little while ago I was saying to Bala Swamiji that the CD of every year’s performance should be prepared and handed over to the participants. It is a Prasada received from ashram. They could listen at home and enjoy. They can also identify their own mistakes, note them down and correct them.
At the ashram, we have recordings of every event that takes place be it in nada mandapa, Sri peetham or the Poundarika ranga sthala. Recordings right from the year 1967-68 exist. One room is completely filled up. Now we are trying to digitize and convert so that it would occupy lesser space. Once Mr. Keshav Murty’s children approached the ashram and asked for a recording of their father’s performance. They asked for it almost 11 years after the performance was completed. We could give them a copy of it. Similarly, our Bhagavatar’s grandchildren asked for a copy of his Harikatha performance. This too was organized.
To ensure that the recordings are properly mapped and stored, it is essential to record your personal details and that of the performance in the register maintained at the office. The office will in turn inform the recording section. Thereafter even if, your children and grandchildren come and ask for a copy, it will be easy to locate the file.
A sea difference exists between a public concert and a Pancharatna keertana program. This Pancha ratna keertana program should be performed with a sense of offering (arpana). Everyone who has learnt it, should practise at home and come and offer it. I am very happy to hear you all sing today. These were divine compositions of Tyagaraja composed by him as an offering to that Supreme Lord. Great Vedantic secrets are embedded within them. In fact, entire Vedanta exists within these 5 keertanas.
Sri Guru Datta
Compiled by: Parimala Eshwarla