Anantapur: Onam is not yet another festivity to cherish and make merry, but a grand age-old tradition with great cultural and spiritual backing. Taking a cue from the grand tradition, modern men must strive to recreate the golden past of the Mahabali Era heaping praise on the emperor for the ideals he stood for.
As part of week-long pre-onam, Thiruvonam dawned at Prasanthi Nilayam that wore typical Kerala colour, with the festive spirit spreading all over on Friday. Thousands Keralites thronged at Prasanthi Nilayam to take part in Onam celebrations.
In the morning, traditional percussion music greeted the devotees before the commencement of the special session at Sai Kulwant Hall. A devotional musical offering by Ms. Abhirami Ajai was the highlight of the morning session. A noted Carnatic vocalist and playback singer Abhirami began with Baba's song, Na Punyam Na Papam that was followed by a Jai Ganesh number, invoking Lord Ganesha.
The programme followed with flowering some of the finest ge-ms, exclusive compositions on the Sai theme, all with Carnatic classical touch. Sarasija Nayane Sankha-Chakre, Enna Thava Seythanu Easwaramma, Shambho Mahadeva, Darshan Dho Bhagawan...., Karunacheyvan Enthe Thaamasam Krishna, Bhagyada Laksh-mi Baramma an apt number on this auspicious Varalakshmi Vr-atam were the morning numbers. The gifted vocalist signed off with a mellifluous rendering of Ardhanaareeshwara Strotram.
