By Prof. Indrajit S Saluja

Purnima Desai is synonymous with Indian classical dance  and music. Through her cultural centers-Shikshayatan and Sriniketan, she has been  providing education in Indian culture and Sanskrit and Hindi languages for about 4 decades in New York. More recently, she has been organizing cultural events through Sriniketan, and promotion of Sanskrit and Hindi languages and education through Shikshayatan. She says the enormous work that she has  planned to undertake required the scheme  of handling the two streams separately.

Recently, she completed her training in Reiki under the supervision of Dr. N.K. Sharma and Dr. Savita Sharma  of Reiki Healing Foundation , world’s largest Reiki Foundation. She is now Kriya Acharya Reiki Grand Master.

Shikshayatan will be celebrating its 35th anniversary in October, 2023. Purnima Ji’s’s Sriniketan Foundation  has planned an international Sangeet Mahotsav on October 14, 2023 to mark the happy occasion. It is billed as International Music Festival by internationally renowned artists as a Tribute to Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande.

The International Music Festival will be held at the Community Center, 143-09 Holly Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355. For more information, please see the advertisement on Page 47.

The zeal with which Purnima ji  has  been promoting Indian culture in a foreign land is absolutely commendable and a source of inspiration to all admirers and lovers of Indian culture. . Looking at her enormous work, one wonders from where  she gets all the energy , and more importantly resources, to organize the mammoth international events at which dozens of internationally acclaimed artists give their performance.

The Indian Panorama editor Prof. Indrajit S Saluja caught up with Purnima Ji to know about her current and future projects.

TIP: You have been organizing music festivals  for the  last 4 decades. How do you look at your journey?

Sikhshayatan Cultural Academy was established on Vijaya Dasami day in 1988. It’s a long journey – 35 years we are celebrating on October 14. The purpose of that organization was to promote Indian culture. It was already a very well-known organization in India. We  are just trying to promote that culture among the younger generation here so that they can keep connections with their roots and get the best from both the East and the West. That was my purpose and many children benefitted as they learnt Sanskrit slokas, Hindi language, vocal and instrumental music, and dances. I was quite successful but there is no end to the work. The greater purpose was to make good human beings. That was my goal. Now I am planning to build  educational/cultural centers and couple of temples throughout the United States. Temples will be part of educational/cultural centers where students can pray. Hopefully by 2024 it will be done. 

TIP: How are you going to achieve that?

I don’t want to ask for money for Sriniketan or Sikhshayatan. They should earn on their own merit. I have some real estate properties which I will sell when the time comes.  I want to work selflessly for the community. If I get some funds from some genuine people without asking for it, which happened in the past too, then I am blessed. I have organized free musical programs for senior citizens in different senior centers. Your intention has to be pure without any expectations. I silently do my job without expecting any name or fame.

Moreover, my spiritual master, the Enlightened Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanth ji is there to make my task easier. 

TIP: You have  had a large number of  international artists at the international music festival you organized last year. How do you manage to get these artists from across the world?

The International music festival was a unique one. I wanted to bring awareness in the community that what classical music is all about.  I was born in Kolkata, West Bengal where art is very popular. From my childhood I was crazy about classical music. Classical music does not only give you immense joy and happiness, but it also heals your soul too. It also reduces your physical pain and stress. It was therapy for the listeners who came to the festival. The artists were also very happy to perform. So, both benefited.

TIP. You have planned an International Music Festival for October 14. What are the highlights?

It’s going to be very interesting. We will be having dozens of internationally acclaimed artists from all over the world to display their talent. Top classical artistsare  coming. It is a day-long event , split into three sessions. It will be a rare treat for lovers of music. I hope the audience will enjoy the event.

TIP. You have  another area of interest. You are a healer, but  in a different way now. Earlier, you were healing through music. Now you are Reiki healer. Tell us something about Reiki and your education and training.

Reiki is a Japanese term used for universal healing energy. This energy is actually already gifted to every human being. After a certain meditation, we can activate this energy in ourselves. And we can channelize through our body and then we can transfer to our palm. It is a kind of touch and heal technique in which once your hands get activated, then you can deal with any problem. It is a noninvasive and  a kind of non-violent energy. The beauty of Reiki is that it can influence all living and non-living. Reiki also can be used as an alternative medicine everywhere. More when you come to get treatment.

I was fortunate to have the training from world renowned  Reiki Masters Dr. N.K. Sharma and Dr. Savita Sharma  of Reiki Healing Foundation , the world’s largest Reiki Foundation. And I am glad to be practicing this art of healing for the good of my brethren.