Swamishri blessed the Tanzanian city of Mwanza in 1980. One night, a kirtan aradhana had been organized. Some yuvaks were up on stage tuning the instruments for the evening program. One of the yuvaks, Hasmukhbhai, brought his dilruba to Swamishri.
Swamishri took the string instrument in his hands and looked at it inquisitively. Then, somewhat playfully, Swamishri asked, "Which raag shall we play now?"
"Malkauns."
"Bhupati."
"Kalavati."
"Megh Malar"... the suggestions came one after the other.
Swamishri laughed and suggested, "Let's play Raag Sukhiyo (Happy)!"
So saying, Swamishri gave a few strokes of the bow on the dilruba and returned it to Hasmukhbhai.
Of all the various raags in Indian music, Swamishri seems to have the monopoly on this Sukhiyo Rag. Forever immersed in the song of God, Swamishri's words seemed to chime with the conviction that he wants to instill this melody of happiness in our hearts too.
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