MATCH THESE: Decision makers. Film songs. Dance. Fun. Art of Living!
If the words sound confusing, don’t bother. For that’s what it appeared at first sight. Seated atop a pedestal was a man with in sparkling white dress with flowing black hairs and beard—Rishi Nitya Pragya. In front of him were senior bureaucrats, people from the industry, judiciary, affluent housewives and workingwomen, all squatting on the foam mattress spread out at the Taj Crystal Room on Sunday evening.
“So, how was the experience?” asked the man-on-top. “Great,” the group responded smilingly. The man smiled back at the august gathering who had, one gathered, completed their workshop meant for decision-makers on Sunday evening. Who is the person, one wondered aloud.
“Rishi Nitya Pragya! He is the second in command in the Art of Living Foundation after Sri Sri!” someone said. Just then the man noticed some pen pushers seated (squatting!) at the back. “I see media people around. Any questions, friends?” he asked. And just before making the query, Rishi had gone on to explain how Art of Living was aspiring to make India a super power by 2017, making people rid of their vices, spreading messages of peace in the valley by interacting with various groups there, making people from several villages completely ‘detoxified’ etc. He also talked about how India’s image of being land of serpent searchers was gradually being transformed and how Art of Living volunteers had spread across the globe.
Pious thoughts, one thought. And one couldn’t resist asking how Art of Living spearheaded by “Sri Sri” (that’s how they refer to their founder Acharya Ravi Shankar, as) was any different from the scores of such preaching-organizations who had done some good but basically failed (their good intentions, notwithstanding!) in propelling India among the league of developed nations through such methods.
{{/usCountry}}Pious thoughts, one thought. And one couldn’t resist asking how Art of Living spearheaded by “Sri Sri” (that’s how they refer to their founder Acharya Ravi Shankar, as) was any different from the scores of such preaching-organizations who had done some good but basically failed (their good intentions, notwithstanding!) in propelling India among the league of developed nations through such methods.
{{/usCountry}}Osho gave us a radical thought and now we have Baba Ramdev talking of transforming the face of India through Yoga! So, what is so different about Art of Living?
Well, one had to clap and shake a leg for a couple of minutes for the query! Rishi Nitya Pragya after first suggesting that one either took the course or interacted with those who had taken one to know how it was different. And then after a few more explanations, he suggested and the group excitedly agreed, to sing a song, a filmy one at that! He began with Raat kali ek khwaab mein aayee aur galey ka haar hui. The song was pleasing and sung by a person with soothing looks and pleasing voice, one felt nice. Song over, it was time to leave. “Could you stay back for 10 minutes?” the man asked. Everyone looked back. One nodded in approval. Next came, Tum gagan ke chandrama ho main dhara ki dhool hoon!
Again, it felt nice…err…soothing perhaps. Then came the song-n-dance sequence. Someone pulled yours truly amongst the dancing guru! One was forced to shake a leg for there was no escape. Everyone was shaking in joy! The experience was pleasurable. Only that one is still not sure if that is enough to pitchfork India amongst the ranks of the developed nation.