As part of the devotional celebrations of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 91st birth anniversary, a unique musical programme dedicated to Swamishri was held at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on the evening of Saturday 17 December 2011.

The kirtan bhakti programme was entitled ‘Pramukh Swamina Pagale: A Musical Journey’, which brought together balaks, kishores, yuvaks and vadils from mandirs and centres from all over the UK. Their fine singing was accompanied by the melodious sounds of various musical instruments – including the santoor, sitar, flute, keyboard, harmonium and tabla – all played by the satsangis themselves.

Complementing the singing and music were video montages of Swamishri’s past vicharan in the UK, further charging the assembly hall with an atmosphere of devotion and joy. Devotees revived cherished memories of Swamishri’s visits to the various mandirs, while for the young it was a time to learn about his previous travels.

Prabuddhmuni Swami also narrated many incidents from the life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, highlighting his loving devotion to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, gurus Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj, and his beloved devotees.

The programme concluded with balaks and shishus singing a delightful birthday song that expressed their love for Swamishri. They, too, were accompanied by young musicians playing the violin, saxophone, keyboard and tabla. As the children encouraged everyone in the assembly to join with them in singing birthday wishes to their guru, the grand chorus brought the evening to a spiritually uplifting, fitting and devout end.