Eastern Charm of Bandra...

Happened to visit The Nadbramha mandir of Sharada Sangeet Vidyalaya at Kalanagar, Bandra (east). I ve been there numerous times...yet each time it feels new...better...peaceful... The stark contrast of the tension created by the top security around Balasaheb Thackrey's bunglow which shares its compound wall with the Mandir and the palatial tranquil of the Nadbramha vaastu entice me. Off I go from a highway hustle bustle to a world full of green green trees...chirping birds, beautiful bunglows, et al. The fact that the area is called Kalanagar intriguingly justifies the people who live here.

Here we have Sahitya Sahawas a colony of legendary authors in marathi literature along with bunglows of renowed directors and creative poeple...with the famous MIG club and ofcourse The Sharada Sangeet Vidyalaya. Every place has a scent of its own.... This area smells of some classic aromas. A heady mix of old pages mixed with earthy fragrance.... This lends to the chast aura.

As I entered the premises of the Vidyalaya I couldn't take my eyes off the magnificantly huge Statues of Goddess Saraswati along with lord Krishna and Ganesh... all resplendent in limpid clear marble... Garlands of frshest of flowers adorning their necks and their feet covered with rose petals... A mild fragrance of incense sticks mixed with the aroma of flowers. A huge 'samayi' lighted in front with incandescent 'jyot' standing tall lending its irresitable charm to the mandir. As you climb the stairs which are 30 in number and around tow long verandas wide you cannot help but stumble a step or two for you get enthralled in the atmosphere you are pulled in.

The arrangement of the Vidyalaya is such that you have to take the 'darshan' of these gods before you enter any of the floors. You remove your footwear at the gate (black stone stands made for the same) climb the stairs, tinkle the bells, join your hands, pray, have the 'prasadam' and then go inside. What a great way to start your education in art. Inside there are various halls and classrooms teaching instrumental and vocal music and various forms of indian classical dancing. I could go on and on about this place, but you have to see it to believe it... Its truely....nadbramha!!!

'Bramha' is the Spiritual energy, the god also known as knowledge... the creator...'Nada' is indivisible 'ananda' or supreme joy... 'Na' is 'vayu' or air and 'Da' is 'agni' or fire. when combined together these produce sound... called 'Nada' which the root of 'Pranava' or 'Om'.Like a jewel and its radiance are inseparable, if you try to discover the source of radiance you get the jewel itself...so are 'Nada' and 'Bramha'