Today I would like to share with you an unforgettable experience that has deeply impacted me.
I was recently invited to sing at Sivananda Rajaram Senior Secondary School which is a part of Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram, located in Maraimalainagar. The huge campus houses other institutions like Sivananda Orphanage, Sivananda Old Age Home, Vocational Training Center, Sivananda Free Dispensary, etc. It is located about 2.5 hours away from Chennai.
When I was invited to perform, I expected to see a simple school auditorium but I was pleasantly surprised to see that their auditorium is state of the art. I was happy that art is being given such importance at Sivananda Sevashram. The auditorium was packed to the brim. There was quite easily more than 2000 people in that space, most of who had travelled from far by bus to attend the concert. A lot of them had come from places as far as Viluppuram and Vellore.
Among this audience were around 300 children from Sivananda orphanage.
I could tell that they were having the time of their life! They knew all my songs and sang along the whole time. It felt amazing to spend time with them at the end of the concert. I consider it a privilege and a blessing to have had a chance to interact with those lovely kids. I was deeply moved and felt extremely emotional being with them and receiving their love.
The grown-ups in the audience were no less enthusiastic! Their love for music was very evident in the way they engaged during and after the concert. They, in fact, asked me not to leave!
Artists often wonder if what they do has value. I spend most of my time enveloped in music, lost in my own world but sometimes I stop and wonder if my offerings add value to the life of other people.
It is times like at Sivananda Sevashram that put all those worries to rest. When I see that my music brings so much light into the life of people, I feel fulfilled. I also feel a renewed sense of responsibility that I must do my very best for my audience.
Sivananda Saraswati Sevashram is run by Mr Rajaram with the help of his son, Kishore Kumar Rajaram. They have dedicated their lives to serving society. Mr Kishore Kumar gave up his job in the US 3 years ago and came back to India with his wife and kids to help people in need. The work they have been doing must be appreciated and commended.
My best wishes to all of them.
