Feature report by Niraj K Shil, Canberra – 6 May 2025
Brisbane witnessed a spiritually uplifting gathering as devotees from across Australia came together to celebrate the Holy 137th Birth Anniversary of Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra in a heartfelt and organised Utsav. The celebrations began in the early hours with usha kirtan and morning prayer at the residence of Goutam Pall, setting a reverent tone for the day. The sacred occasion, guided by the blessings of Pujjapad Acharyadev and Pujaniya Abin da, was marked by an uplifting series of events celebrating the philosophy and legacy of Sree Sree Thakur.
The vibrant Children’s Satsang, hosted by Rupangan from Sydney, offered a thoughtful space where young devotees engaged in prayers, storytelling about the life and teachings of Thakur, singing of bhajans, and reading from holy texts.
The morning set the tone for a spiritually enriching day, filled with kirtan, prayers, and reflections. The vibrant Children’s Satsang, hosted by Rupangan from Sydney, offered a thoughtful space where young devotees engaged in prayers, storytelling about the life and teachings of Thakur, singing of bhajans, and reading from holy texts. It was an inspiring reminder of how Thakur’s message continues to nurture growing minds and hearts across generations.
The afternoon welcomed the Matrisonmeloni, a special segment dedicated to mothers. Hosted by Nipa Biswas from Adelaide, it included prayers, group singing, and profound discussions. Nipa Biswas offered insights into Thakur’s reformist views on the marriage system, while Dr Saranika Talukder, lecturer at James Cook University, elaborated on the crucial role of mothers in shaping compassionate, educated children—the future leaders of society. She emphasised the importance of behavioural and emotional nurturing through Thakur’s philosophy of love and understanding.
As the day progressed, Sangeetanjali filled the atmosphere with soul-stirring devotional music. Esteemed singers from Brisbane—Gopal Bose, Ripa ma, and Pranab Padwal —offered heartfelt songs at the lotus feet of Sree Sree Thakur. A poem by Pujjapad Sree Sree Dada was recited by Amal Chakroborti, and Pranab captivated the audience with his mesmerising flute performance, adding an ethereal touch to the day’s spiritual tone.
The Main Programme began with an Evening Congregational Prayer led by Apa from Brisbane.
The grand Utsav of this auspicious festival took place with great enthusiasm and spiritual fervour at Sunnybank Hall on Saturday, April 12th, 2025 bringing together devotees and well-wishers from across the community. The musical tributes continued with an inaugural song “Sabchea Sundar Naam Thakur Ji” by Priyanka from Melbourne, and powerful kirtans by Rupangan from Sydney and Guru Charan from Perth, filling the hall with spiritual vibrancy.
The guests were warmly welcomed by Binni and Aaradhya with bouquets and a copy of the Holy Book Satyanusaran, signifying reverence and love.
In his Introductory Speech, Engineer Bibek Nag eloquently introduced Sree Sree Thakur’s philosophy of Being and Becoming, highlighting how prayer and love, even from a distance, offer strength and upliftment. Referring to the courage of Dipesh Karan, who is battling cancer, he emphasised Thakur’s message on harmonising life with the environment and overcoming the fear of death.
The Chief Guest, Dr Gopal Krishna Bose, drew from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, reflecting on moving from darkness to light and from death to immortality.
He beautifully aligned Thakur’s teachings with that of Sree Ramakrishna, advocating that true religion lies in selfless service, devotion, and the development of God-like qualities in our daily actions. He stressed the deeper purpose of Satsang—to recharge our spiritual energy and live in brightness—summarising that “love and active service is the universal manifestation of all God’s messengers.”
Dr Subhash Nandi (SPR), representing the Spiritual Research Programme (SPR), expressed his joy in seeing the young minds participating meaningfully in the children’s satsang. He reflected on how Thakur’s scientific discourses, including his description of the atom, fascinated even contemporary scientists.
Quoting Thakur’s profound thought—“When the ideal is awake in men… all faculties bloom and glow”—Dr Nandi spoke on how aligning with a supreme ideal like Thakur allows individuals to harness their infinite potential, fostering a harmonious and purposeful life. His inspiring anecdotes brought alive the everyday relevance of Thakur’s teachings.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Goutam Pall, who extended heartfelt gratitude to all devotees—local, interstate, and online participants—for making the Uthsav a meaningful and successful spiritual gathering.
The Brisbane Uthsav stood as a remarkable example of devotion transcending geographical boundaries, bringing together hearts and minds in reverence for Sree Sree Thakur. It illuminated the enduring relevance of his message: to live a life of love, purpose, prayer, and harmony.
