Begum Parveen Sultana’s rendition of this Sai Bhajan is serene and poignant. At the Darbar festival 2007, due to some issues with artist visas, we needed to fill a morning slot in the festival. Begum Sultana did not think twice before consenting when we went to her with the request (as well as a faint hope) of singing some morning ragas and filling this slot.

Sri Satya Sai Baba was a spiritual master based in Shirdi in south western India. Revered by Hindus and Muslims alike, it is widely believed that faith in the Satya Sai is very potent as devotees’ and believers’ prayers get answered all the time.

“Sai Ram Sumirana Karo

Sakala Dukha Haro

Hari ke kripa sada yadi mile,

Man ki kali sahaj khile

Shanti paraa, hridaya me bharo”

These lyrics from the bhajan is a prayer of the devotee for Sai Baba’s mercy and protection. It is a submission of one’s being imploring the saint to take away all sorrows and help one’s true inner self to blossom. The lyrics further state that it is only Sai Baba’s mercy that can fill the devotee’s heart with peace and joy.

In this sublime presentation, Yogesh Samsi provides a masterful support on the tabla. UK-based Chiranjib Chakraborty was roped in at the last minute to replace Pandit Ajay Joglekar (harmonium). But that did not deter him from giving his best to this concert and drawing appreciation from Begum Sultana as well as the audience present.

Musicians
Begum Parveen Sultana (Patiala gharana)
Partha Sarathi Mukherjee (tabla)
Chiranjib Chakraborty (harmonium)
Nina Burmi (tanpura)
Gunwant Dhadyalla (tanpura)
Debipriya Das (support)
Ranjana Ghatak (support)

Music piece: Sai Bhajan