When Divyajanani Alivelu Mangathayaru (Ammagaru) served Jillelamudi Amma in her youth (who was her aunt by relation), she was famous for the marvelous tonal quality of her voice which rang out melodiously, distinctive even in group songs or bhajans. She has composed and written several beautiful songs on Shirdi Sai Baba and on crucial events in the life of Pujya Acharya Ekkirla Bharadwaja (Mastergaru) 's life. The songs sung in a series are equivalent to the parayana of Master's life and deeds, I believe. The song 'Apoorva Sangamamu' by Ammagaru, reveals a joyful, beautiful, poetic and philosophical vision of Master's experience of samadhi or brahmaanubhuti at Shirdi in 1963. Who but Her can revel and reveal to us common folk such depths? Kusumanjali is a offering of 'Anjali' flowers at His lotus feet (recall deep meaning of Anjali or namaste hands in Sai Baba the Master and His Teachings by Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja). Paramapurushu Udayinchinu extols our fortune of the grand advent of Master, who 'provides a model for the Way, the Goal and the Life too' (Sai Baba the Master). Each song deserves at least a post of it's own.
She also composed songs of blessings on the birth of Her two grandchildren and such other significant occasions. The poetry of Her songs, the visual imagery they conjour, the play of words and the philosophical depth is incomparable. She even graciously taught the same to many devotees and children. I was fortunate to be taught by her, her exquisite bhajan, 'Saranam Sadguru Bharadwaja Saranam, Saranam Saranam Guru Charanam' and that is a unique and precious memory. Another wonderous memory is composing dance to Ammagaru's song 'Chitti Chitti Bharadwajulu' and teaching it to a small batch of devotees' children. The song relives the endearing first steps and play of Bharadwaja as a toddler, with a lilting rhythm to match.
One occasion when devotees gathered at Nagole, and were immersed in bhakti through songs written, composed and sung by Ammagaru herself too, was the 75th birth anniversary celebration of Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja. It was celebrated over two and a half years with a series of grand events and seva deeksha of 108 parayana readings comprising of all of Master's books conceived and bestowed on all by Divyajanani Alivelu Mangathayaru. 20192020 is, in fact, the 75th birth anniversary of Ammagaru.
The bhajan sampradaya is a hoary and integral part of Indian oral tradition, with several regional variants. Who has not heard of musician bhaktas like Saint Thyagaraja, Annamayya, Namdev, Tukaram, Meerabai and Kabir das? A lady well versed in music and veena came to Bhagwan Ramana Maharshi and asked, "Bhagavan, is it possible to attain Moksha (Liberation) through music alone or would other spiritual practices be required?"......Bhagavan smiled and said, "Saint Thyagaraja and others did not attain Realization through the songs that they sang. Rather, their songs are the expression of the ecstasy within, the result of their Realization of the Ultimate. And that is the reason why their songs have survived the test of time." This is called Nadopanishad." (from Cherished memories by T.R. Kanakammal, pub. Sri Ramanasram).
In the same way, the songs written by Divyajanani Alivelu Mangathayaru are a precious legacy, an expression of Her supreme state of a sthithapragnya, Her advent as a Dattaswaroopa Samartha Sadguru. They are an expression of Her deep love and compassion for all as Herself ( to put in Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja's words about Shirdi Sai Baba, Sai Baba the Master) and not as anyone would love herself.
These jewels, an easy garden path, have been bestowed to humankind by Her, and all that remains to do for us bhaktas (and even ones without devotion), is to sing these bhajans with all our heart (irrespective of voice or talent), drench ourselves in the splendour of rasa where the singer, the song and the act of singing merge into the infinite.
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Note: some songs available to sing along on Soundcloud/Saimaster Forums
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Note: some songs available to sing along on Soundcloud/Saimaster Forums
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