Dada’s 92nd Birthday Celebrations

DAY 1

Friday Evening, July 30, 2010
The grand 4-day celebration started with the kindling of the sacred havan fire among chants of Gayatri Mantra. Devotees from all over the world anxiously awaited Dada’s appearance at the venue; indeed, it was a packed hall with anxious hearts beating to have a glimpse of the Gurudeva. The singers led a feast of music. Everybody joined in the singing and clapping to the glory of the Guru. Their revered Dada had come amidst them from miles away to kindle the ceremonial lamp of this birthday retreat of divine proportions.
Dada’s upadesh began on a profoundly moving note, seeking forgiveness for anything he may have done during the year that may have hurt anyone. Dada recalled the first lesson that he learnt from his Master, Sadhu Vaswani: always consider the virtues of others, never their faults. If a person has nine vices faults and just one virtue, one must see the sole virtue and not the faults. Dada urged everyone to inculcate this into their daily lives and be true to the Guru’s teachings: for “ it is Life that is needed, not words.”

Sing Sing - the name of the Lord.

The Lords figurines add to the Grandeur

Standing room only at the packed audience

He did come from miles away

Dada became one with the devotees

Lighting of the Ceremonial Lamp by Dada

Soaking in his words of wisdom

A disciple should be true to Gurus Teachings - It is Life that is needed not words –Dada

Do not see the faults of others - Dada

DAY 2

Saturday, July 31, 2010
The day started at the retreat with a Yoga session, Guided Meditation with Dada’s CD and Laughter Therapy conducted on the green lawns.
This was followed at 9 am with havan, vachan, aarti and scintillating kirtans by Kaajal Chandiramani. At 10 am Payal Seen started with Aisi lagee lagan; this much loved bhajan got everyone in the divine mood. Pt. Kinner Seen, the Sitar Maestro, enthralled the audience with his sitar vandan. At 11.30 am Seema Ramchandani - India’s Pop Star, got the positive energy to the Guru going with chants of ‘Gurudev Guru Om, Namah Shivaye’ with chorus participation from the audience. Post lunch, Shailendra Bharti continued the Anand Akhand Kirtan.
Today was also the day for the Youth Program – “Live Your Passion.” Dan Nainan - the great comedian with an Indo Japanese lineage was at his very best. Following it, Bhakti Band got everyone clapping to ‘Jai Jai Shiv Shambho’ and other kirtans.
The panel discussion of successful youths was very inspiring. The questions put up to the youth leaders by the session host pointed to how one could live one’s passion. It was agreed that the first thing in life is education and then one must follow one’s passion in life. Then came Dan Millman, the main speaker. “The treasure is inside you. The teacher just points that in you,” he asserted. “Sometimes the struggle you go through climbing from a hole gives you the strength to climb a mountain”. Dan spoke highly of Dada, and also released Dada’s book - Gateways to Heaven.
At 6.00 pm Dada arrived to answer questions from the youth. Addressing them as fellow youths, Dada explained that he too was a fellow youth like them. Asked about the theory of karma, Dada said that the theory of karma is the theory of a peasant – in this field of life, what you sow with your thoughts, words and deeds, you will reap - You cannot reap mangoes when you sow thorns.
At 7.00 pm the much awaited Sri. Krishna Das took the stage and mesmerized the audience with his soulful chants.
Following dinner, all were ready to board AIR DIVINE’s flight to heaven. Earlier heavy demand was witnessed for the Boarding Pass for the Ticket to Heaven show. The ‘flight’ departed with everyone on board for the journey to Heaven. The act was based on Dada’s teachings and choreographed by Rita Thakur of Jakarta and was prepared in just seven days!
As many as two thousand people attended the celebrations on Saturday.

The Mornings started with Yoga Meditation and Laughter Therapy sessions.

Payal Seen enthralled the audience with Bhajans.

Aisee Lagee Lagan - Payal Seen renders more of the audience favorites.

Pt. Kinner Seen-Sitar Maestro-enthralled the audience with his sitar vandan.

Seema Ramchandani - India’s POP Star enthralled and the audience kept asking for more.

Gurudev Guru Om Namah Shivaye -Seema Ramchandani.

Devotee joy in Jai Gurudeva chants.

Their instruments added divine tones to the Anand Akhand Kirtan Sessions.

Fervor in the Sindhi Kalaams by Kaajal Chandiramani.
Ashok Lalwani- The director of the 4-day Celebration MCed the programs also.

The Bhakti Band vibes at the Live Your Passion Youth Session.

Jai Jai Shiv Shambho - Bhakti Band.

Panel Discussion on Live Your Passion.

Comedian Dan Nainan with Indo Japanese lineage brought peels of laughter at the Youth Session.

Author Dan Millman Author at the Live Your Passion - Youth Session

The treasure is inside you. The teacher just points that in you-Dan Millman.
A book straight for Heaven - Gateways to Heaven book release by Dan Millman.

I regard myself as a youth thats why I address everyone as fellow youths - Dada at Live Your Passion youth session.

Theory of Karma is theory of a farmer-You cannot grow mangoes when you sow thorns - Dada.

Krishna Das- The Rock Star of kirtan- from evening till Dinner Time- he kept them rocking with vibes divine

After dinner, all were ready to board the AIR DIVINE flight to heaven. Earlier heavy demand was witnessed for the BOARDING PASS of TICKET to HEAVEN.

DAY 3

Sunday, August 1, 2010
The day began with Yoga, Guided Meditation with Dada’s CD and Laughter Therapy conducted on the green lawns.
At 9 am, after the havan, vachan and aarti, Seema Ramchandani once again regaled the devotees with melodious kirtans. At 10 am, the instruments came to the fore in the Sound of Music. Anis Chandani with the flute, Dexter Raghunandan on the tabla and Bashir Khan on the banjo created an atmosphere of Brindavan in New York, as the programme was named. The atmosphere eased into the next dance drama based on Nuri and Anjali Bhajans. Performed by the Kathak Ensemble and Friends Group from New York, it had been put together in ten days of hard work, but was the event of a lifetime in dance. Looking at this offering of a performance for Dada, Janki, director of the Kathak Ensemble felt happy that we are connected through the greatness of our Gurus.
‘For the Love of Sindh’ was the afternoon session that brought back Sindh into the ballroom venue. Sindhi caps were given to the men to bring back that flair for Sindhi culture. Sindhi Kalaams by Kaajal Chandiramani got many on their toes to move merrily along with the tunes of the Sindhi lore.
The panel discussion was led by Hemant Wadhwani. Sindhi historians, Sindhi Club heads and Sindhi language experts participated in a lively discussion on the Sindhi language. They drew direction from Dada’s thoughts on the Sindhi culture and language – “The Sindhis don’t have a land, nation or state to call their own. If there is one thing that will help us retain our identity, it is our language. Language is the soul of the community. If the soul goes away, how long will the community last?”
Dada arrived in the evening as the next show came up. This was Krishna: The Absolute ; a dance drama in kathak on the life of Lord Krishna. As Dada blessed the performers later, it looked as if Dada was the Krishna amongst the devotees that evening. Dada then had a Question-Answer Session with the sangat after donning the Sindhi cap lovingly, as his hands seemed to feel the very fibre of Sindh culture. When asked to relate the difficulties he had with his Master, Dada replied in smiling negation – “I did not face any difficulties. How can it be thought as difficulties? Whatever he did, it was his Prasad.”
After a delicious dinner, devotees set out on a Deepak yatra on the hotel premises in honour of Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani. The lighted diyas placed around Sadhu Vaswani’s portrait at the end of the procession were a beautiful sight to behold.

Anis Chandani at the Flute in Sound of Music - Brindavan in New York.

Dexter Raghunanan at the Tablas in Sound of Music - Brindavan in New York.

Dancing Stories on Nuri and Anjali Bhajans were readied in 10 days of work but was a lifetime in dance as performed by The Kathak Ensemble, New York.

For the Love of Sindh - The Panel Discussion was led by Hemant Wadhwani.

Krishna The Absolute - Dance Drama by Shakti Dance Company from LA.

With ‘Krishna’- The Shakti Dance Company blessed after their performance.

Bowing to the Absolute in him.

My Mithri Sindhri - In reverence and rememberance Dada holds the Sindhi Cap.

Dada puts on the Sindhi Cap given to devotees at ‘For the Love of Sindh’ Session.

The Sindhis don’t have a land, nation or state to call their own. If there is one thing that will help us retain our identity, it is our language – Dada

Language is the soul of the community. If the soul goes away, how long will the community last – Dada

Nearly 2000 came - rows filled up in the hallways with TV Screens outside for them to view

DAY 4

Monday, August 2, 2010
After the Yoga session, Meditation and Laughter Therapy, Shailendra Bhartti led the Mantra Jaap for Dada’s speedy recovery and long life. Later, the devotees welcomed Dada’s Birthday with singing, dancing and applause.
The Sindhi Association of New Jersey (SANJ) and Overseas Sindhu Sabha earlier had declared August 2 as a Sindhi holiday in honour of Dada’s contribution to the Sindhi community and encouraged all Sindhis to take the day off and be a part of a saint’s birthday.
As soon as Dada came upon the stage, over a 1000 devotees gave a grand welcome to Dada with flowers, chants and applause while thronging to greet him. Dada gave his drishti to all and blessed them on this great day. As Dada started his birthday message which was webcast live all over the world, the audience listened with rapt attention, absorbing all that he had to say and imbibing his thoughts and values. On this day, Dada once again reaffirmed his message: Aai Dil Fikar na kar, kar shukur, kar shukur ! This was followed by the mantra, Kabool, kabool, kabool!– accept, accept, accept (God’s Will). Dada’s Cake cutting ceremony was the Grand Finale. And when Kaajal Chandiramani sang the Anjali Geet, Chhori na Chad Jayen, Dada asked every one to take home this message.
Like all good things, the Great Birthday Extravaganza ended with a delicious Sindhi meal consisting of Sindhi Curry, Rice, Tuuk, Pakwan Dal, Kulfi Falooda etc.
The hospitality was excellent with well- organised lunches and dinners on all the days with a sumptuous buffet of vegetarian delicacies and the food never fell short.
The Sadhu Vaswani Center of New Jersey/New York made it a memorable celebration for everyone – a grand celebration, a celebration to remember, a celebration worthy of the Master!

The Aug 2nd Birthday dawns and Shailendra Bhartti leads the Mantra Jaap for Dada.

They welcomed Dada’s Birthday with singing, dancing and applause.

House full of devotees gave a grand welcome to Dada on his arrival on the final day of the celebrations.

Many had taken a day off for celebrating Dada’s Birthday as a SINDHI HOLIDAY.

Dada gave his DRISHTI and blessed all on his birthday.

Dada’s Cake cutting ceremony was the GRAND FINALE.

Happy Birthday Dada!

A piece in time - birthday memories of Dada with Kaajal Chandiramani.

Everyone heard Dada’s Address with rapt attention while imbibing his thoughts and values.

On this day Dada once again reaffirmed his message of -Aai Dil Fikar na kar, kar shukur, kar shukur.

And then his message of Kabool Kabool Kabool.

At the end when Kaajal Chandiramani sang Anjali Geet - Chhori na Chad Jayen, Dada asked every one to take home this one message.

The Sevas - at Rev. Dada’s Birthday Celebrations in New York

They went out in busloads to serve

Hidden from the lime-light, there were sevas offered every day for Rev. Dada’s health. Volunteers and retreat participants formed teams to go to various nearby institutions to serve the inmates. These included Hot Breakfast Service at The Missionaries of Charity (Founded by Mother Teresa), Newark, Games and snacks with the elderly at Inglemoor Nursing Home, Englewood, food and clothing at St. Lucy’s Shelter System, Jersey City, and riverside feeding of brother birds at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

In the name of a saint - Rev. Dada- at a saint’s home- Mother Teresa’s Missionary of Charity