Experiencing The World Culture Festival
- Deepankar Lamba
- Mar 17, 2016
- 8 min read
The World Culture Festival was held on the 11, 12, & 13 of March. Its been a few days and yet we are unable to sink in the cultural extravagance, the magnanimity of the stage and the cheer of the crowd after every performance. Here, we are few of us from varied professions sharing our experiences of the event, an event which added new colours to our lives. lets read them…
Name- Vasudha Jhunjhunwala
Profession- Painter, Writer, Art Of Living Facilitator
Attending the World Culture Festival (WCF) introduced a new dimension to my identification of being a patriot and an Indian. India is a land which embraces all cultures, religions and races as it’s very own. The deeper Vedic philosophy which is the very heart of our country propounds that there is “One” divinity in all beings. This philosophy came alive in the most magnificent way on the 7 acre stage of WCF.
Like in an Ocean all rivers merge, on the WCF stage merged cultures and art forms from around the whole world. Cultures were showcased by more than thirty thousand artists in their own unique and vibrant ways. Each performance was special, different and complete. What made it even more special were the spectators from 155 countries, millions of them applauding whole heartedly after each performance. That which got established on this stage was Love, the Spirit of brotherhood and that we are indeed “One”, “One World Family”. WCF made me realise that being a true Indian means recognising One divinity in all beings and patriotism also means celebrating this diversity. Gurudev says broaden your vision and deepen your roots, which was my experience of WCF as my vision of the world expanded and my belief in our core Vedic philosophy deepened. A learning for life..
Seeing Gurudev in midst of storms, literally, through the three days of the festival. The media pouring negativity, the clouds pouring rain, international guests pouring from around the world, last minute permissions pouring, worries for the well-being of millions of people pouring, challenges were pouring from all corners possible. But Gurudev stood firm and steady amidst all this.
Here are a few life enriching lessons I learnt from observing our leader:
– Many obstacles might come in the way of doing service but we must continue and not give up
– Those who criticise or oppose us should be dealt with patiently and with compassion even though we are right and they may be wrong
– In the end Truth is always victorious
– To selflessly serve till the very last breath
– Celebrate diversity and taking everyone along
– Being centred during all times
-This world is our family and we are responsible for it’s well being
– Dream big and work for the dream to manifest
Returned home from WCF with heightened spirit, enhanced enthusiasm and unshakable confidence to serve the World with Sri Sri.
Name – Rashi Kunal Modi
Profession – Anchor & Compere
Grandest. Highest. Finest. are the 3 words that come to my mind when i think about WCF 2016. I was tightly compartmentalized in my thinking was with regards to caste, creed, religion, colour. During WCF, walking, sitting, listening and enjoying the multiple cultures, languages, colours, religions, those compartments got erased. Yes, ERASED. and i feel free, secured, taken care of, more sesnse of belongingness to the world and an expanded and widened horizon of love. Every bit of WCF was incredibly neat, organized, easy, smooth and yet adventurous to the core. Rainbow, lightning, warmth, spectacular sight, vision broadening speeches and the most beautiful meditation – countless memories, countless moments of beauty and joy!!! Thank you Sri Sri
What I got back – sense of security and relief that i don’t have to change myself or world i have to simply co-exist with differences, celebrate diversity. Also, the I dissolved in ocean of WE
Message to India and World – Follow the wisdom of Sri Sri. you are done.
Name – Deepti Bhatia
Profession – Sales Head, Henkel
(Deepti Bhatia second from left, she had participated in Kathak dance )
My experience of the World Culture Festival 2016 was truly humbling! The majestic stage in front with artists and a sea of humanity all around, I felt like a miniscule drop in the ocean. Yet felt extremely fortunate to have been a part of this historic event. It was amazing to see Gurudev at his natural best whether it was meeting the dignitaries around him or addressing the audiences. Again, while witnessing it, I felt extremely lucky to have Gurudev in my life and so accessible whenever I have needed him. The way the event took place feels like a miracle. Nothing deterred the enthusiasm of the crowd – nor the rain, nor the cold, nor the long walks to and fro. I am humbled to see how one man with his love brings together people from all walks of life, from 165 countries and reigns our hearts with his message of peace, love and compassion. Words are not enough to express my gratitude. Gratitude for having the opportunity to participate in the kathak dance with 1700 other dances – to dance in front of my Master, our PM and 3.75 million people. It’s an unforgettable experience! Another learning experience was at the Global Leadership Forum, where I heard Gurudev inspiring the leaders from politics and corporate backgrounds. In his words, ‘ Only when there is chaos, can there be a leader, without chaos what is the point of having a leader!’
What I have got back –
I have got an understanding that love transcends all differences. I have experienced live that we are all connected and it is the power of spirituality that binds us all together. Honoring others without prejudice about their labels is what I take home. Serving humanity as my Master endlessly has been serving will be the commitment. It is time to share with others – the light which he has kindled within me.
My message to India and the World –
Life is beautiful and so are the people around! Let us celebrate our differences and unite to spread love and peace. The heart and breath knows no religion, caste or creed! We are one world family!
Name: Akhil Patel Profession: Filmmaker
The first thing that i felt after reaching the venue was a deep sense of wonder. The stage felt as if it is a full fledge display of His Avatar! How can something like this be even comprehended, keep aside implementation.
After watching Him drench in the rain and standing on the stage ALL WET but still so enthusiastic made me feel so irrelevant at that point. At the same time it was the biggest inspiration i have had till date. Opened up a whole new dimension of being in selfless service.
May this body and mind be His instrument in all moments.
Name: Kunal Mehta
Profession: Photographer
As a photographer, you wait for that chance to capture a moment which will remain unforgettable for many years to come, you wait for that particular photograph which you see and say “That’s my best” and you wait for memory cards to fill up with beautiful pictures.
But what happens when you are given a chance to capture not a single moment but moments filled with grandness, each angle you take is itself is perfect and each photograph you click is (master’spiece). An event which will remain stored in my mind for ever and its pictures will keep reminding me of how grateful and lucky I am to have a Guru in my life.
Name- Rima Engineer
Profession-Cranio Sacral Therapist
Picking a single moment of magnanimity is impossible
There is still an echo of Vedic chants. My hands are still swaying to the melodious symphony My mind gets still just by the thought of gurudevs meditation My feet are still dancing to the beats of Sufi bharatnatyam tango Kathak garba bhangra and all the other dances My eyes are still wet with love and gratitude and a little sadness of separating from my world family I am still wonder struck by the celestial presentation of rain storm thunder wind and sunshine bringing out the best rainbow ! I am back home in some corner of Mumbai with more than just memories and experiences But My heart (DIL) is still sailing on the banks of Yamuna river somewhere in (Delhi) DILLI
Love and only Love Rima 🙂 :*
Name- Sukeerti Shukla
Profession- Corporate Trainer & Professor
I remember bumping into a clairvoyant sometime in February, who told me “you are gonna be a part of something very big”. And I exactly knew what he was talking about, it was WCF.
Starting to learn kathak 3 months back and then getting to give your first performance on a 7.5 acres stage with 1700 others dancers making it a Guinness World Record!
Getting wet before your 1st performance and performing with wet clothes on wet stage may not be very pleasant but was definitely adventurous & will be remembered for a lifetime!
Something unimaginably magnanimous, colorful, diverse, grand, classy,beautiful,real yet so ethereal.
Yes, i was a part of it and will always be grateful for being one!
In His words experienced Heavens descending on Earth!
What next? 40 years of celebration !! Gurudev we are waiting!
Name- Aditi Shetty
Profession- Chartered Accountant
World Culture Festival, 2016 was something that a normal human mind couldn’t have comprehended. It was mammoth, not just the visual of a gigantic 7-Acre stage that housed over 35000 performing artists but the coming together and the warmth of 3.75 million people from all around the world, displaying art, colour and love. In our times, where all that you get to hear is how we, as a society, have failed everyday, this event was much needed to instill our faith in the goodness of people, to respect others ideologies, to learn about their culture and to exhibit ‘One World Family’ so beautifully and effortlessly. I was lucky not just to have witnessed this event live but also to be a part of the Bharatnatyam dance with other 1700 dancers and soak myself in the powerful energy of Narendra Modi and many other National and International Delgates who spoke with so much vigour and in support of the thought that#WCF2016 stood for.
It’s been 3 days but I still cannot get over it. The magic was such. Let the borders that demarcate every nation, state and city remain only on the maps, not in our hearts smile emoticon
Name- Srishti Jhawar
Profession- Journalist, Network18
It’s 3:30 pm on 11th March 2016. Though I have lined up with thousand others to go on the stage, i haven’t let Facebook know ‘what’s on my mind’, haven’t told family or friends that’s i’ll be performing in some time, while i am mentally thinking if my hair is fine! I was just feeling so incomplete. I was just hoping if someone could let me use their internet, cuz we had to leave our phones in the green room. And it begins to rain. There is gush in the clouds, and no one exactly knows what to do, how to feel about this. Most of us were looking for a shade, and then suddenly we hear drums rolling, people jamming, Gujarat dancing on the tunes of Zimbabwe, Assam to the tunes of Himachal, Philippines to the tunes of Nepal. North met South, East met West and everyone I met was simply so happy and celebrating. This was it! A REAL welcome to all of us to the World Culture Festival. It just felt so complete being there. Nothing else mattered then. The sky, the stage, the people, the dignitaries, the roads, the endless walks, the 3 most amazing days… I am missing everything!
What I really liked was when a journalist claimed that WCF is Sri Sri’s private party. to which Gurudev said “ofcourse it’s a private party, the whole world is my family, and when one doesn’t want anything for oneself, everything else becomes his.”
A message has been sent that we are one world family. that we can co-exist with all our differences, love each other despite our diversities. There were internationals who couldn’t even understand the language HE spoke in and still they could hear his message. It is certified that we are all connected with that one thread, that Impossible is nothing, and love moves the world.
Name- M Bakiaraj
Profession- Engineer
The 3 days at the World Culture Festival were the most amazing days of my life. It’s just made me feel more happy and peaceful about the world. I have taken back truck loads of love, care for the entire world and believe that i am truly a part of this ‘one world family’ 🙂
Thank you
Comments