1st January 2008 as Prosperity Day

Scripture of Wisdom By edit01 ChennaiPlus - http://chennaiplus.net

Sri Aurobindo Society at AP-514, J.Block, 8th Street, Anna Nagar West, Chennai-40 will observe 1st January 2008 as Prosperity Day at its premises. Programme start at 6.30 am and ends up with an audio show "The hour of God” at 6.00 pm.

Talk by Bimal Mohanty at Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Delhi branch

Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Talk on “Spiritual Approach to Life” by Bimal Mohanty, Sri Aurobindo Marg, 10 a.m. to 11-15 a.m. The Hindu Engagements - New Delhi In the capital today

Sri Aurobindo Society: Meeting, 5, Smith Rd., Anna Salai, 10-30 a.m. In Chennai Today

Sri Aurobindo Devotees Prayer Group: Joint prayers, Sasi Balika Vidya Mandir, R.S. Puram, 9.30 a.m.; W 7/C, Kovaipudur, 4 p.m.; Sri Annai Meditation Centre, West Power House Road, Tatabad, 10 a.m. In Coimbatore Today

We Tigers will join the Baltimore-based rock band Sri Aurobindo

Novick flits from guitar to vocals to keyboard. When he slips an acoustic guitar over his head, the maroon strap, embroidered with solemn-faced suns, taps the low ceiling. He leans hard into the microphone, his lips brushing the black mesh. In the soundproof practice room, his voice bounces off the walls with an unexpected power. The milky notes turn gravelly as his vocal cords tighten, a side effect of daily practice sessions.

The band is psyched for an upcoming gig at Williamsburg’s Luna Lounge, where they will join the Baltimore-based rock band Sri Aurobindo onstage. The We Tigers members frequent Luna Lounge, where they also played a show in September, to check out other local bands... www.wetigers.com HOME ALL EARS

The Flame of the Future: a concert organised by Darpana to pay tribute to Sri Aurobindo’s Savitri

The three-day Interart, the 32nd Vikram Sarabhai International Arts Festival organised by the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, starts on Friday with Phedre in Hindi. Written by Jean Racine, the original version was directed by acclaimed director Astrid Bas. This will be followed by a dance performance by the Darpana group on the theme of The journey inward - Devi Mahatmaya. Another attraction of this year’s Interart is a flute performance by Linda Wetherhill. She will be playing at a concert organised by Darpana to pay tribute to Sri Aurobindo’s Savitri: The Flame of the Future. Interart is an annual arts festival that focuses on combining synergies of artistes from around the world... Source Category Ahmedabad News

You never ask why are there so many cinema halls

24th December 2007 Bangalore Ashram Sri Sri Guruji conducted moonlight meditation… followed by the question and answer session.

Rigveda said something beautiful. It said for those who don't believe in him, he is there for them also!! Swami Vivekananda came, he found an institution. Then Rishi Aurobindo came he formed another institution…. We have take up a different way through yoga and meditation…There is no conflict with one another! There is one common thing I think in all and that is meditation... Posted by Abhi at 11:33 AM

Poet Sundaram brought to us the sublime beauty of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother

Poet Sundaram brought to us the sublime beauty of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother of Pondicherry through the journal Dakshina. Umashankar Joshi was our poet laureate. Nagindas Parekh made not only Tagore and Bankim available in Gujarati, but also the Bible, which sounds more true to me in Gujarati even today...

In Defeat, Let Us Reclaim Our Selves After the fever pitch of Gujarat’s recent political rhetoric, TRIDIP SUHRUD looks back to a culture his home may no longer have use for. Suhrud is a social scientist from Ahmedabad WRITER’S E-MAIL tridip.suhrud@gmail.com From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 5, Issue 1, Dated Jan 12, 2008

Mother is the only one who issues passports

Without the Mother we cannot know the Father. I remember Dr. Haridas Chaudhuri, a disciple of Sri Aurobindo, telling some students:

“Remember, you have to get a passport before you can go to another country. In the same way when you want to go from this country of darkness to the country of light, you also have to get a passport. And Mother is the only one who issues passports in this scheme of things.”

Since he was a Bengali, he understood that well... by Swami Nirmalananda Giri Copyright Atma Jyoti Ashram ©2004 posted by A SpringWind @ 10:16 AM

Sri Aurobindo certainly made it, but outside Bengal

The Telegraph Sunday , December 23 , 2007 Front Page > Opinion
THE END OF ARCADIA - A visit to Santiniketan provokes some unsettling questions
The Thin Edge - Ruchir Joshi

To read or to listen to Tagore is to, ultimately, be immersed in optimism, in the unshakeable belief that deep joy is the birthright of every human being and an attainable one. So I try and change what I’m looking at and the way I am seeing things: the trees around the campus are still lovely in the winter light; there are couples scattered in the nooks and crannies of the crumbling buildings, like birds about to mate; the forest around the khoai ripples with natural sounds; cycling through a santhal village, I see a modern building made using traditional local materials, a ceramic shop with some very nice things, and for a moment I could be in Goa or Auroville.

As I head for the station a thought passes through my head: we cannot escape the great Bengalis, but can they escape us? Aurobindo certainly made it, but outside Bengal; now, what about Rabindranath?

Discourse on “The Human Cycle” by Ramesh Bijlani

The Hindu Sunday, Dec 23, 2007

Engagements - New Delhi In the capital today RELIGION
Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Discourse on “The Human Cycle” by Ramesh Bijlani, Sri Aurobindo Marg, 10 a.m. to 11-15 a.m.

Engagements - Chennai today

Sri Aurobindo Society: Meeting, 5, Smith Rd., Anna Salai, 10 a.m.

Engagements - Madurai today

Sri Aurobindo Society: Study circle meeting on ‘Sunlit Path,’ 3 Lajapathi Roy Road, Chinna Chokkikulam, 10.30 a.m.

Auroville is the atom

The President visited the ‘Progress’ meditation chamber in the petal and then went up to the Chamber, where she meditated for some time. She expressed a vivid interest in the Matrimandir and it was explained to her that the physical building is as a landscape of the inner journey. On leaving the President issued the following message:

“Auroville is the atom which has the inherent power of filling the world with humanity, peace, progress, tolerance and harmony. It gives a chance to explore by the coming together of the right thinking people of different cultures all around the word.”

A photo made at the occasion shows Ms. Pratibha Patil flanked by Dr. (Tmt.) Poongothai, Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu (left) and Thiru. N. Rangasamy, Chief Minister of Pondicherry (right). The Working Committee Posted by aurodas at 9:06 PM

Three distinct, yet overlapping ways of life

You will realise that you are in Pondicherry when the typical aroma of the place hits you! Hard to point it, really, but it could be best-described as the mingled odours of sambhar, fish, chameli flowers, agarbatti and the salty tang of the sea! Indeed, Pondy, as the locals call it, is the sensualists delight, filling up all the senses and leaving the visitor replete! That is the speciality of the Podicherry, a small territory.

The very special feature of Pondy is the two distinct ambiences that peacefully co-exist the Tamil and the French! Add to these, the lifestyle brought about by the Aurobindo Ashram and what people actually have are three distinct, yet overlapping ways of life, never seeming to impinge on the other but borrowing freely and giving generously to the other...

The Ashram has a massive kitchen-cum-dining-hall, which caters to over 1500 people per meal, and here one can get good quantities of yoghurt, porridge, steamed dals and few cups of vegetables... A few steps away are the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Utmost quiet reigns here. No ceremonies only quiet meditation. You ll be allowed only after switching off your mobiles, hence silence guaranteed. prasadbhathey prasadbhathey.sulekha.com Beta © prasadbhathey., all rights reserved.

New books on India

India and the Future of South Asia: Kosha Shah; pub. by Auroville Arts, Saracon, Kottakarai, Auroville-605101. Rs. 80. The Hindu Book Review New Arrivals Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007

***

The Story of True India by Shreepal Singh, Rainbow Publshers, C-23, Madhu Vihar, Delhi-110092 India. Rs. 495. New Civilization Zones singh_shreepal@yahoo.co.in

***

Hinduism re-defined

a cyclical concept of history

by P. K. Nijhawan Published in 1982, Vimal Publications (Bombay)

Pagination:

xii, 189 p.

Four aspects of Savitri by Dr V. Ananda Reddy

TALK December 17 at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, 8 Shakespeare Sarani; 6 pm: Sri Aurobindo Study Course (Pramod Ranjan Sen Endowment) by Dr V. Ananda Reddy of Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research, Pondicherry. Subject: Four aspects of Savitri. Front Page > Calcutta > Timeout The Telegraph. Monday, December 17, 2007

The Life Divine & Sunlit Path

Hindu.com Engagements - New Delhi In the capital today

Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Lecture on “The Life Divine” by Prashant Khanna, Sri Aurobindo Marg, 10 a.m.

Engagements - Madurai Madurai Today

Sri Aurobindo Society: Study circle meeting on ‘Sunlit Path,’ 3 Lajapathi Roy Road, Chinna Chokkikulam, 10.30 a.m.

Bara Bara Baranga

Sri Aurobindo Study Circle Annual celebration

on December 12, 1907 at Baranga, Orissa. [TNM]

The education system in Orissa is going to take a new shape

Monday, December 10, 2007 Integral Education in Orissa
Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy and Integral education are growingly accepted by the parents and students of Orissa. Manas Das [9:48 PM] INTEGRAL EDUCATION: A VICTORY ON CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION SYSTEM, Integral education is the vision of Sri Aurobindo who first put his views on this topic in various newspapers and magazines in between 1904-08.

A special lecture by R.Y. Despande: The vision and the boon

Front Page > Calcutta > Timeout TALK December 10 at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, 8 Shakespeare Sarani; 6.15 pm: A special lecture (Prasenjit Basu Endowment) by R.Y. Despande. Subject: Savitri: The vision and the boon. The Telegraph. Monday, December 10, 2007

Lecture by Dr. Karan Singh on “The Last Message of Sri Aurobindo”

The Hindu Sunday, Dec 09, 2007

Engagements - New Delhi In The Capital Today

Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Lecture by Dr. Karan Singh on “The Last Message of Sri Aurobindo”, Sri Aurobindo Marg, 10 a.m. to 11-15 a.m.

Engagements - In Coimbatore Today
Sri Aurobindo Devotees Prayer Group: Writing of Savithri Episode, Sri Annai Meditation Centre, West Power House Road, Tatabad, 10 a.m.

Engagements - Coimbatore Today Saturday, Dec 08, 2007

Sri Aurobindo Devotees Prayer Group: “Writing of Savithri Episode,” Sri Annai Meditation Centre, West Power House Road, Tatabad, 10 a.m.

Barathiar’s meetings with Sister Nivedita and Sri Aurobindo

Friday Review Bangalore Chennai and Tamil Nadu Delhi Hyderabad Thiruvananthapuram Immortalised by his poesy
Lecture on Subramania Barathi was part of the 40th National Library Week celebrations.
T.A. Venkateswaran The 40th National Library Week celebration had a talk on Subramania Barathi...

He further explicated that Barathiar’s idea of freedom was not just liberation from foreign rule. He was an advocate of women empowerment and was rooted in the values of ancient Indian scriptures but still was alive to the need of scientific development and cried for a happy blend of both. He was in a great hurry to take his beloved country beyond the morass of his times. Venkateswaran elaborated on Barathiar’s meetings with Sister Nivedita and Aurobindo and other great personalities. A.R.S © Copyright 2000 - 2007 The Hindu

Sri Aurobindo Society State Committee for Karnataka

The Hindu Wednesday, Dec 05, 2007

Engagements - In Chennai Today

Sri Aurobindo Society: 57th Maha Samadhi Day of Sri Aurobindo, AP – 514, J-Block, 8th St., Anna Nagar, 6-30 p.m.

Engagements - In Coimbatore Today

Sri Aurobindo Society: Sri Aurobindo Maha Samdhi Day programme, Trichy Road, 6 a.m.; 7 p.m.

Engagements - In Bangalore today

Aurobindo Society State Committee for Karnataka: Slide show on ‘Life sketch of Sri Aurobindo,’ Aurobindo Marg, J.P. Nagar I Phase, 4 p.m.

Thousands of devotees pay homage to Sri Aurobindo on his 57th Mahasamdhi day

Devotees throng Aurobindo ashram

India Puducherry Wednesday, Dec 5 2007 IST
Thousands of devotees from all over the country and abroad thronged the Aurobindo ashram here to pay homage to the saint philosopher Sri Aurobindo on the occasion of his 57th Mahasamdhi day today.
A mass meditation was organised by the ashramites to mark the occasion. The rooms used by Sri Aurobindo and the mother were thrown open for public darshan. -- (UNI) -- 05MS2.xml

New India will emerge from today’s bleak conditions

Governor calls upon youth to emulate Aurobindo
Staff Reporter The Hindu Tuesday, Dec 04, 2007 Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam
“New India will emerge from today’s bleak conditions”
Tiwari delivers lecture at Andhra University
Governor is on a three-day visit VISAKHAPATNAM:

Governor N.D. Tiwari called upon youth to follow the teachings of seers like Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda and take the nation on the path of prosperity. Delivering the 5th annual lecture on ‘Sri Aurobindo and Education in India’ organised in Andhra University on Monday, the Governor paid rich tributes to the saint. He recalled the words of Sri Aurobindo that the “heart of man is nearer to the truth than his intelligence”.
He said that apart from imparting knowledge and providing information, a university should help in promotion of culture and character among youth and felt that Andhra University could take the lead in this regard.
He expressed the optimism that the new India of Sri Aurobindo’s dream, spiritually vibrant, morally ascendant, geographically integrated and unbreakably united would emerge from the bleakness of today’s conditions.
Chairman of the AP State Council of Higher Education K.C. Reddy, AU Vice-Chancellor L. Venugopal Reddy, Rector B. Satyanarayana, Registrar P. Vijay Prakash, Executive Council members J.V. Prabhakara Rao and I. Muralikrishna Rao were present, among others. The Governor is here on a three-day visit.

14th All Orissa Sri Aurobindo Study Circle Conference in Bhubaneswar from Dec. 9 to 11

The Hindu Other States - Orissa Conference on Sri Aurobindo

Sri Aurobindo Sanskrutika Sansad Trust will organise the 14th All Orissa Sri Aurobindo Study Circle Conference in Bhubaneswar from Dec. 9 to 11. www.hindu.com

57th Maha Samadhi Day of Sri Aurobindo on 5th December in Chennai

Sri Aurobindo’s 57th Maha Samadhi Day chennaiplus.net/the-city-bee

Sri Aurobindo Society Centre, AP-514, J.Block, 8th Street, Annanagar (16th Main Road, behind Sri Devi Hospital), Chennai-40, will observe the 57th Maha Samadhi Day of Sri Aurobindo at its premises on 5th December. At 6.30 a.m : Collective meditation and prayers for end of terrorism and world peace and audio show -Indian Heritage, Chanting hymns from holy scriptures. For details contact: 26161826

Lecture on “Prasthana Trayam” by Shri Bimal Mohanty

The Hindu Engagements - New Delhi In the capital today

Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Lecture on “Prasthana Trayam” by Shri Bimal Mohanty at Ashram premises, Sri Aurobindo Marg, 10 a.m. to 11-15 a.m.

Engagements - Chennai today

Prasnopanishad: V. Purushothaman, Sri Aurobindo Society Centre, AP-514, J Block, 8th St., Anna Nagar, 6 p.m.

Sri Aurobindo Society: Meeting, 5, Smith Rd., Anna Salai, 10-30 a.m.

Engagements - Coimbatore Today

Sri Aurobindo Devotees Prayer Group: Joint prayer, Sasi Balika Vidya Mandir, R.S. Puram, 9.30 a.m.; Kovaipudur, 4 p.m.; Tatabad, 10 a.m.

Engagements - Madurai today

Sri Aurobindo Society: Study circle meeting on ‘Sunlit Path,’ 3 Lajapathi Roy Road, Chinna Chokkikulam, 10.30 a.m.

Anniversary Celebrations of Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education - 1 & 2 December

Anniversary Celebrations of Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education -

1 & 2 December 2006

The Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education celebrated its 63rd anniversary on 1 & 2 December 2006. As part of the celebrations, the Department of Physical Education of the Ashram presented a beautiful physical demonstration on the theme of "Harmony & Beauty" at the Ashram's Sportsground on 2nd December 2006. There was also a dance drama on Sri Aurobindo's Sanskrit work "Bhavani Bharati", performed at Ashram's theatre in the evening of 1st December.

Success of authors lies in this art of abridgement

For records shake, the lunching of the golden jubilee [of Orissa Sahitya Akademi] at 5.30 in the evening of 25 Sept. 2007 at Bhanja Kalamandap of Bhubaneswar was performed by the CM with Akademi President Prof. Deepak Mishra in the Chair. M/s Prafulla C.Ghadei (Minister, Finance), S.N. Patro (Minister, Culture), A.K. Tripathy (Chief Secretary) and Gopinath Mohanty (Secretary, Culture) were guests of honor when Secretary of the Akademi, Dr. Hara Pr. Parichha Pattnaik introducing the programme said, reverence to betters and seniors and affectionate encouragement to budding writers would be the norm of the Akademi in entering into the new era.

On this occasion, noted scholar and writer Manoj Das addressing as the Chief Guest said, in the ages of yore, there was no literature; but there was speculation. Speculation in course of time metamorphosed into literature. So literature is an abridgement of reality and feeling. Success of authors lies in this art of abridgement, in which regard, Orissa’s literary heritage is abundantly rich.(scp) ...from OrissaMatters by Subhas C Pattanayak

There is something magical and moving about Auroville once you get there

Auroville - a bizarre galaxy in India
Auroville is the name of a collective originally consisting of people from 124 nations. The collective is free in spirit, though it renounces all religion. Auroville is physically located near Pondicherry and the Eastern coast of India. Established in 1968 and named after a philosophical Indian man called Sri Aurobindo, the stated purpose of Auroville is “to realise human unity”. The geographical heart of the collective is a banyan tree next to which a space age non-temple named Matrimandir (mandir meaning temple in hindi -yes, a bit of a terminological clash there..) has been constructed. The sketches for the building were made by the mysterious Mother, a French woman who was the driving force behind the founding of Auroville. Architectural/structural suggestions based on these sketches were made by a group of architects led by architect Roger Anger.

Matrimandir in Auroville, India
The architectural plan that was selected reflects magnificently the innovativeness of the late 1960s’ design that knew no boundaries. The globe-shaped cylinder is covered with satellite-like gold plates which gives it the air of a tv station in outer space. Though renouncing all religion and religious activities, meetings of some sort are held both inside the space station and on the rows of tiled steps outside where outsiders are allowed to take photos of each other against this bizarre backdrop.
Despite heaps of prejudiced sarcastic scepticism, there is something magical and moving about Auroville once you get there. It is a peaceful place and the efforts made there to preserve the forest type known as Tropical dry evergreen forest are welcome as is the dedication to organic farming in the area. anunymous anunyymi anúnima