Sai Pearls of Wisdom 45-A “CULTURE, EXAMINATIONS, RAIN STOPPED” (With Subtitles).
Channel: Sai Pearls of Wisdom - Prof. Anil Kumar Kamaraju
Date: 2023-07-22

We are really amazed, thrilled and excited to come to know of Swami’s histrionic talents revealed right from His childhood, and He encouraged them in the later period – fine arts among students. That’s what we have been coming to know in the recent episodes.

I may draw your attention (to) Swami’s talent displayed at Bukkapatnam. A dance troupe happened to visit that area and the centre of attraction happened to be a dancing girl. Years hence, she would still be remembered, but there would be differences of opinion regarding her name. 

She was adept in a particular dance in which with a bottle balanced on her head, she would pick up a handkerchief from the floor with her teeth, as a finale. Sathya proved that He could not only do the same dance number, but also improve upon it. Instead of picking up a handkerchief from the floor with His teeth, He picked up a needle with His eyelids, all the while balancing a bottle on His head.

Another incident occurred at the school annual day function  which displays Sathya’s versatile talents. A famous actress and dancer, Rishyendra by name, was invited to perform for the fund-raising function. All arrangements were made, tickets were sold, people were gathering, and a large crowd was expected. At the last moment, the dancer sent a word that, due to her ill health, she was unable to come to perform. Her name is Rishyendra Mani. That Rishyendra Mani would not appear, could create trouble from the disappointed crowds. 

Sathya offered to save the situation, suggesting that He would be happy to dance in Rishyendra Mani’s place. The desperate school administration, with no other alternative, immediately agreed. The spectacular thing about the actress’ dance was that she could balance a plate with a lighted lamp on top of a bottle on her head perfectly, while keeping lighted lamps on the plate! 

When Sathya performed the dance number, the audience roared in applause. According to standard biographical accounts, the District Collector, a British Officer, merrily walked up to the stage to present the dancer with a medal, anxious to put it around her neck. As no Indian lady would ever allow a strange man to touch her person, the actress insisted that the medal be given in her hand. The poor Collector walked away disappointed, not recognizing that the lady hands were those of a small boy. 

Ramasubbamma, the District Education Board President, presented the prizes for the 2nd day function. She spoke in appreciation of the actress who had performed the previous day, and acknowledged that the school building fund had been substantially increased with the young dancer’s help. 

Wanting to honour her, she announced that she would present to the actress a silk saree. The actress’ name was announced with a request that she appear on stage. The audience waited expectantly to see her emerge. In the midst of the excited crowd, Sathya, walking towards the stage, was stopped by the police who had no idea of the role He had enacted. 

The headmaster rescued Him, took Him to the stage and proudly announced that it was He who had saved the day by performing in the guise of the actress. See that! Ramasubbamma complimented Sathya for His performance and so developed great affection and regard for Him. Because Sathya did not consider His school to be different from His own family, even at that young age, He took it upon Himself to save the honour of His school and His teachers. 

When the time came, Sathya did not have the minimum attendance for eligibility to take the qualifying examination from the Bukkapatnam School. However, He appeared for the examination the following year to take this Elementary School Leaving Certificate (ESLC) examination. 

Students had to go all the way to Penukonda since it was the only centre in that area to offer the examination. Sathya was no exception. In years to come, He would recall this incident. 

“These examinations were held at Penukonda. In those days, going to Penukonda was like going to America or Russia. It caused fear and anxiety. There were no roads or buses for going to Bukkapatnam.” 

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