January 26 2023

Karuna Didi’s Punya Thithi

Devi Karunamayee popularly known as Anna Didi and Karuna Didi in the Ashram was Spiritual musician of Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Delhi Branch. Born on 24th March 1930 in Delhi, joined the Ashram on 20th March 1966 and lived till the 26th of January 2017 till her last breath.

She was a great musician and talented in Kirana Ghirana, a Hindustani classical music form. A great devotee of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo, she was the Founder-Director of Matri Kala Mandir, Mother's School of Fine Arts, inaugurated on 21st February 1967, with the Mother's Grace. She was the Trustee of Sri Aurobindo Ashram-Delhi Branch.

Observance of Karuna Didi's
6th Punya Thithi

On Republic Day, 26 january, which also happens to be Karuna Didi’s Punyatithi, who left her body on this day in 2017, the Ashram community saw the Republic Day parade on the TV in the morning. In the evening, there was a musical offering by Shri Kshitij Mathur, who was accompanied by Shri Chetan Nigam on the harmonium, and Shri Shambhunath Chatterjee on the Tabla. There was also a reading of Sri Aurobindo’s commentary on the Isha Upanishad by Tara Didi, with special emphasis on ‘tenatyaktenabhunjithaa’ (Renounce and enjoy), the ancient Indian ideal, exemplified by King Janaka.