Art of Living concert claims entry into Guinness Book of World Records

Written By Mohsin Mulla | Updated:

AOL founder and spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar’s presence as the chief guest of the concert attracted thousands of people to the venue.

With a record 2,500 warkaris and 1,356 traditional drummers from the Dhangar community participating in ‘Abhangnad’, a concert organised by the Art of Living Foundation (AOL) at the Shivaji University ground here, the organisation has claimed that the event is an official entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. 

The event was organised in a bid to attract youths towards
folk traditions.  

AOL founder and spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar’s presence as the chief guest of the concert attracted thousands of people to the venue.   Ravishankar said abhang, devotional songs composed by sants, is an immortal part of Maharashtra’s culture. Similarly, the Dhangar community has also preserved its traditional art of playing drums.   “We had arranged classical music concerts in Pune, Nagpur and other parts of the country as we wish to give our culture a high status in the world,” he said.  

The concert took place on a magnificent one-acre stage dazzling with lights. Sculptures from various temples and replicas of Mahalaxmi, Jotiba and Vitthal adorned the stage. Noted devotional singers Ajit Karkare, Balasaheb Waikar and Tukaram Powar sang abhangs and bhajans, in which they were joined by 2,500 warkaris.  

In the middle of the concert, Ravishankar conducted a guided meditation session for the audience. He also asked the audience to shun corruption, female foeticide and addiction to drugs.   “We want a spiritual India, not a country of slums and scams.

Traditionally, women’s status in India has been superior to men. We want to restore that status and dignity to women,” he added.  
Kolhapur guardian minister Harshvardhan Patil, forest minister Patangrao Kadam, state minister of home department Satej Patil, and Congress leader Vishwajeet Kadam were present at the function.