The Art of Fulfillment through Life and Music

Venue: Anant Van, Mardari, Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Date: October 7-9, 2006
Singer: Wasifuddin Dagar

A beautifully designed building is built only when the architect has at first mastered the science of architecture and then used his imagination into constructing a beautiful building. This is true for everything that man creates. Living one’s own life so as to turn it into a thing full of beauty requires at first the grasp of the science of life and then based on those scientific principles fashion it imaginatively into a thing of beauty.

A beautiful life is a life of fulfillment. In such a life there is no place for attachment to the likes of anxiety, fear or sorrow. Today, even in the most advanced and prosperous communities we see the universal presence of this trio mentioned above. They are usually masked by the display of wealth or the constant effort to divert the mind from accepting their presence. Therefore the laughter and gaiety of the social world does not ring true.

It is the dimension of opening us all to the science of life that we want to integrate into the Anant Van Utsav this October, in addition to the contemplative nature of the ancient, but highly relevant musical genre, dhrupad. We have over the past two years observed and felt the ability to plant that “something” that emerges when people talk, reflect, experience the jungle and immerse themselves in music.

This year along with esteemed dhrupad musician Wasifuddin Dagar, we also have a wonderful teacher of the science of life, Swami Prashantananda. At the age of 84, he is traversing the length and breadth of Madhya Pradesh sharing the teachings of the sacred Indian texts Bhagvad Gita, Mahabharata and Ramayana. We have been personally influenced by him and his life. Our aim is let the space be the point of reflection for all of us. Over two days, the musical invocation by Wasifuddin Dagar will integrate with talks and interactions with Swami Prashantananda.

About Wasifuddin Dagar
Wasifuddin Dagar represents the twentieth unbroken generation of dhrupad singers in the Dagar family. Since the age of five, his systematic training (in the guru-shisya parampara) unfolded under his uncle Ustad. N. Zahiruddin Dagar, and his father N. Faiyazuddin Dagar, otherwise known as the Dagar Brothers. He has performed worldwide including a performance for the UNESCO in 1998 and is among the leading exponent of the Dhrupad tradition in the world.

About Swami Prashantananda
Formerly known as Rao Saheb, Swamiji has learnt from life, reflection and teachers. He immersed himself in public life from the early days including a stint as a Member of Parliament in late 70’s. Deeply influenced by one of India’s most respected spiritual teachers Swami Chinmayananda, in 1997 he joined the monastic order of Chinmaya Mission and devoted his life to expounding and living the highest wisdom of our sacred texts.  

About AnantVan
Dhruv's life with Anant Van has transitioned to another phase where he wants to integrate wildlife, the environment, Gandhian thought, Vedanta, organic farming, travel, art, profits and community development, to drive inner and outer transformation. The camp is set amidst 20 acres of land and offers four luxury tents and two cottages for accommodation. The food is cooked in a traditional way (over woodfire) and is sattvic in nature. No alcohol is served

You can also visit our blog at http://yatra.zaadz.com/blog (check for the tag – Jungle) for our impressions from the last visit during the final phase of construction.

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The event is priced at Rs. 13,500 per person.
 

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