Sri Swamiji in USA, Nada Nidhi Raga Sagara, Chicago, 20 Jul 2013
Nada Nidhi Raga Sagara, Chicago, USA, 20 July 2013
Chicago chapter of Datta Yoga Center hosted Pujya Sri Swamiji's "Nada Nidhi Raga Sagara" - Music for Meditation and Healing at Downers Grove N High School auditorium on 20th July 2013. The hall was packed to capacity crowd of 1200. More than 300 additional seating was created in adjacent halls with audio & video link. Sri Swamiji arrived on the stage at 6.50 PM. An interfaith prayer was held. Mr. Tejas Shah (Jainism), Rev Meera Susan Sims Smith (Christianity), Mr. Maulana Suleman Abidi (Islam), Pt. Vishal Datta (Hinduism), Mr. Rabi Looper (Judaism) & Mr. Takar Singh (Sikhism) chanted together a prayer for world peace. United States Congressman, Mr. Bill Foster lit the inaugural lamp. He is a renowned particle physics scientist and was endorsed by 31 Nobel prize winners. In his speech, Mr. Foster lauded Sri Swamiji's global activities and Sri Swamiji efforts for world peace. Ms. Diana Mendoza read a letter from Illinois Governor Mr. Pat Quinn congratulating Sri Swamiji for the 25 years of Healing music in the US.
The concert started with the traditional beginning, the Bhajan Pranava Swarupam. In view of the upcoming Guru Purnima festival, Sri Swamiji played "Guru Padamu" in Sri Ranjani Raga. The main composition of the day was titled "Nada Nidhi Raga Sagara" which comprised of four Ragas, Eeshaanana, Bhoopala, Nartaki & Sarasangi. Sri Swamiji's development and play of Sarasangi Ragam was melodious and swept the audience to celestial heights. Tani Avaratanam was thunderous. Dance tune in Shankarabharana Raga & Mangalam in Sama Raga followed. After the concert, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt honored Pujya Sri Swamiji and the celestial message troupe artists - Jaitra Varanasi (violin), Mani (support keyboard), Shankar Ramesh (Mridangam), Mahesh Bhat (Tabla) & Ramanujan (Morsing). Sri. Karunakar Madavaram, President of American Telugu Association (ATA) presented a memento to Pujya Sri Swamiji. Datta Yoga Center USA & Yoga Sangeeta Inc presented a large frame showcasing the silver jubilee year of Sri Swamiji's US concerts. Sri. Jayaraman, Trustee of Chennai Ashrama spoke on Pujya Sri Swamiji receiving honorary doctorate in music recently. Smt. Bhuvana Badrinathan and Smt. Sree Raman presented "Silver Jubilee Music" commemorative stamps to Sri Swamiji. Highlight of the post concert events was to follow. Suddenly a large wall of flags came down. The flags showcased all countries toured by Sri Swamiji. A thunderous applause swelled in the auditorium. Sri Swamiji too was pleasantly surprised. Nada Nidhi Raga Sagara was a memory of celestial music and grandly memorable.
