When I heard about this initiative from the alumni of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning to create a compendium of 95 articles as an offering of gratitude to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba during His 95th birth anniversary, the first thing I did was to look up the meaning of the word ‘compendium’.

After having learnt a new word, the next set of thoughts were an unabated flow of nostalgic moments and emotions, very much like the torrential downpour that lashed Bangalore this hot afternoon on 24 May 2020. I was instantly transported to the era of Summer Showers in Brindavan in 1994 where my life changing intervention began as a Class XI student at Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School at Puttaparthi. 

Over the next nine years as a Sai Student, and the 17 years as an alumnus, two of the oft quoted phrases from Swami about His loving bond with His students that remain with me are, “My students are My property” and “Your life is My message”. This serves as a powerful reminder of the privilege and also the purpose we have as Sai Students for our lifetime.

Being part of the University Brass Band as a trumpet player and subsequently continuing to receive that blessing as part of the alumni band has been the most cherished of my experiences as a Sai Student.

It is said, life is lived forward, understood backward. Now, as I reflect on the events and the valuable lessons I learnt in the presence of Swami and through His chosen instruments – the teachers and fellow students of SSSIHL, I see things in a whole new light with ever increasing clarity and awareness. 

Among the many lessons, the one that stands out is that of practice. Practice, not just the music, but also practicing human values and behaviour that form a habit and shape the character and personality. 

Be it a balanced and healthy routine and lifestyle or the blend of academics, arts, sports, and spirituality, along with community living, self reliance and social service, Swami has designed a system that over a period of time builds future leaders and world citizens.

To me, the one event that was the epitome of human excellence was the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet, which is also the grand finale for the band members who were in their final year as students. The amount of creative imagination, teamwork, planning and execution involved and the rehearsals supervised by Swami in the days leading up to the event were more cherished than the event itself.

Among the various such interactions, the weeks leading up to Sports Meet in the year 2002 stands out as the shining example of the love, care, guidance, and leadership that Swami emulates. This was the year when the University Brass Band was part of the practices and rehearsals to accompany the Lion Dance students in the procession. Observing Swami during this period was awe-inspiring and eye-opening. The most memorable moment of course was when Swami personally served us sweets at the end of the best lunch I ever had! 

On one instance when Swami spoke to me that was humorous back then, and poignant now is as follows. While we were waiting to perform a concert as the University Brass Band at Sai Kulwant Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam, Swami came up to where we Band Boys were seated with our instruments. He looked me in the eye and asked me “Where is your Master?” Instinctively, I pointed at the band leader who was seated across the red carpet while He continued to lock His Divine gaze on me as time froze and the universe paused. In those few seconds He conveyed probably the most relevant message for me, “He is my Master. It is a direct heart-to-heart relationship with no one else in between, and I am an instrument that needs periodic tuning”. 

It is my endeavor to be His instrument by staying in tune!

Prem Kumar High school Grade 11 & 12, B.Sc (Mathematics) in Brindavan, M.Sc (Mathematics) and M.Tech (Computer Science), Prasanthi Nilayam, 1994 – 2003. He was a Trumpet player in the University Brass Band. He is also part of the Alumni Band and has been active in band programs during Premabandham since 2007. Currently Customer Analytics Head for GE Healthcare, Bengaluru.