A century of love and service: Silverglen Sai Centre marks swami’s 100th advent birthday
Balvikas Guru and senior educator at the Shri Ssthya Sai School in Chatsworth, Sister Lalli Singh, surrounded by the children who received graduation certificates.
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The SILVERGLEN SAI CENTRE was alive with colour, song and heartfelt devotion on a recent Sunday, as devotees, families and community members gathered to celebrate the 100th Advent Birthday of Bhagwan Shri Sathya Sai Baba.
The local celebration formed part of a global wave of commemorative events held by the Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation (SSSIO) – South Africa, honouring a spiritual teacher whose message of love and selfless service continues to guide millions worldwide.
In true Sai tradition, the day began at dawn. As the sun slowly broke over Chatsworth, the centre resonated with the gentle cadence of meditation, the sacred Omkars, Suprabatham and nagasankeertan. The morning Hawan ceremony set a deeply spiritual tone, followed by a soul-stirring bhajan session that reminded devotees why Swami’s music forms the heartbeat of their spiritual lives.
But it was the Balvikas children, some barely four years old, who brought pure joy to the morning. Under the patient guidance of Balvikas Guru Lalli Singh, the youngsters delivered drama pieces and performances filled with innocence, precision and infectious enthusiasm. Parents and grandparents watched proudly as the children, dressed in vibrant attire, showcased months of preparation. Their performances stood as a testament to the enduring strength of Balvikas: shaping character, nurturing discipline and preserving values that have long anchored families in Chatsworth and Phoenix.
Kantharuby Dance Academy -graceful, expressive and steeped in tradition.
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The afternoon programme drew an even larger crowd, filling the hall with devotees, invited guests and members of neighbouring communities. The atmosphere shifted from serene devotion to cultural celebration as the Kantharuby Dance Academy took to the stage. Their Bharatanatyam performances, graceful, expressive and steeped in tradition, held the audience in rapt attention. The younger dancers, adorned in full costume, delivered routines with confidence far beyond their years, earning warm applause from a visibly moved audience.
A lively selection of bhajans and devotional songs carried the spirit of the celebration through the afternoon, leading into a highlight of the programme: a reflective talk by long-standing devotee Imtiaz Shaik, lovingly known as “The Stumbling Traveller.” With humility and gentle humour, Shaik shared insights gathered across four decades of spiritual practice. He reminded the gathering that Swami’s message remains beautifully simple yet profoundly transformative: “Love all, serve all. Help ever, hurt never. Be good, do good, see good.” In a world facing division and uncertainty, he reflected, these teachings are not just spiritual ideals; they are pathways to rebuilding communities with compassion and hope.
For the Silverglen Sai Centre, the celebration was far more than a birthday observance. It was a reaffirmation of everything the Chatsworth and Phoenix communities hold dear: unity, culture, spiritual grounding, service and the unshakeable belief that goodness must always be offered back into the world.
As the day drew to a close, there was a shared sense of gratitude for Swami’s teachings, for a community that continues to stand together, and for the young and old who keep these traditions alive with love.