Humbled! What insane energy! This is surreal! The cultural Maha kumbh - sea of humanity, not one girl touched or modesty upstaged or children lost! And that too in Delhi!

Can all the cynics now just take a back seat? The impossible is done!

Thank you Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji and Amitji (Anandam TV) and The Art of Living volunteers led by the graceful cool headed Srividya and my team – Mahrukh, Dhanisa, Ravi, Tarun, Kanika, Sameep and Shradha!

And no I have never done The Art of Living course or follow this gentle amazing man! I was here just to do my work with my dancers and experience it as a neutral party!

How can this enormous show with 37,000 musicians, singers, dancers and 3 lakh people go so smoothly? The gods were watching too what with Lord Indra (Rain god) making his presence felt and yet no one moved! There is no other logical explanation! No event company, only volunteers and not one of them rude, except for the police who had to do their jobs sternly!

I'm stumped! This is nothing but grace!

I believe now there is a power beyond human perception!

I lose to win! Respect to the divine!

- Terence Lewis, Choreographer

The 140 artists that took part in the World Culture Festival had a fabulous time! In the words of Odissi Guru Anirudha Das, "Volunteers ne kuch kami mehsus nahi karne diya. Sub bacche bahut khush the" (Volunteers did not feel a lack of anything. Everybody was very happy). Congratulations for organizing such a spectacular show and at the same time taking such meticulous care of each group!

- Radhika Hoon, Chairperson, Natya Ballet Centre, New Delhi

It was a well-conceived, planned, organized and executed event. Sheer presence in the positivity was a blessing. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to be a part of this once in a lifetime experience.

- Priya Dixit, Choreographer, Bharat Natyam

When WCF (World Culture Festival) was announced, I was very excited. I felt proud and honored when the organization gave me the whole zonal coordination for the World Culture Festival. I was happy because I had got chance for seva for such a big event.

Later, one more good news came that Guruji had selected Kolhapuri Dhols from Maharashtra, to perform on this international stage. As He said, "1000 Dhol leke aao."

Everyone was happy. We started working on the event. I underwent various experiences while doing all this. The big question in front of me was "Why did Guruji select only Dhangari Dhol as a Maharashtrian cultural performance?" Later I thought that Dhangar is the only community which does have harmony with nature. They throw 'Bhandara' (made of turmeric), use 'Ghongada'' (shawl made up wool) and Kolhapuri chappals. All this connects them to nature and they get protected from heat, cold and rain. They wander in the intense sun. They do have knowledge of Ayurveda. Their traditional instrument is Dhol. Dhangars are always ready to face any challenges.

When they play Dhol, a very sweet and spellbinding sound is produced. And when anyone listens to that sound, they get goosebumps. And that is why I felt that Guruji had decided to start the WCF program with Dhangari Dhols.

When Guruji arrived on stage and the drums (Dhol) were played, the entire area was energetic. The sound of Dhols vitalized the atmosphere.

Dhangari Dhols were so lucky that they got chance to repeat their performance thrice in Delhi.

I feel lucky that I was part of such big event.

Thanks to Gurudev ! And thanks to everyone who contributed to this event.

Jai Gurudev!

- Vinayak Murdande, District teacher coordinator, Dhangari Dhol coordinator

It was fantastic. Loved the dancing (reference to the Poland team dancing the Bhangra on stage). Thank you very much.

- Patrick, Poland

Standing in front of 3.5 million people and performing the German dance was an unbelievable experience. The energy was so high, everybody just needed to smile. It was one of the greatest experiences I ever had and you could really feel the connection to all the people around the world. Also, the different dance groups just connected with each other behind the stage. I loved to be part of this huge celebration.

- Sylvia, Germany

Very nice hospitality from the local team. WCF was a very good experience and we thoroughly enjoyed the event. Appreciate the extra efforts of the local team in getting our props, costumes and mask to the venue.

- Natacha Chindapol 

Unforgettable being part of this WCF 2016. Feeling at home, dearly loved and connected with people from all around the world united by the same purpose. It was magical!!! Especially the care and love of those lovely angels that did beyond-the-impossible for me and the Brazilian group all those days. Akilesh Nag, Smita Gupta, Shivam Sharma, Puneet Sachdeva and all the others, my thank you!!!

- Pedro Santos- Performer

The Taiwan team was very excited about their performance. They reached the venue at 8:30 in morning. They did not even wait for the allocation of the green room and started dressing up in the dining room itself. They wanted to rehearse with full-dress, hairstyle and makeup. Their four photographers and media person were accompanying them. They clicked each and every moment.

They were excited and eagerly waiting for their turn to perform, so when it rained and Guruji announced that the rest of the performance would be postponed to the next day, they got disheartened, but didn’t even complain, though a few of them were returning that day. It was due to their strong sankalpa that Guruji stayed back and told the organizers to continue the program. He asked them to be ready.

After the performance, Guruji himself praised their enthusiasm. They were overwhelmed and in tears. Those were tears of love. In their happiness and excitement, they all hugged me and thanked me. They all are so pure-hearted, lovely, well-disciplined people. Their love is still in my heart. Even the cloak room sevaks appreciated their discipline.

I am so thankful to Guruji for this wonderful opportunity to experience innocent love.

Jai Gurudev.

- Asha Chopra/ V.N Chopra, Country Coordinators - Taiwan team

We are very happy and excited after our performance in WCF. We are also overwhelmed by the hospitality and care extended to our team by the AOL volunteers, right from the airport till the end of the performance, and even after it. We have also enjoyed meeting people from other countries and watching them perform on the stage.

- Amit Kanaskar

With my busy schedule as a cancer special dietitian at a tertiary care hospital, I always wanted to learn and play the flute. When I read about the World Cultural Festival, I immediately registered for participating in the world's biggest symphony as flutist. It's been more than a dream come true as I got the opportunity to perform in front of 3.7 million people with 8499 other musicians beside me. Thank you Gurudev for this platinum opportunity which holds my life's most cherished experience.

- Poonam Shah, Medical Nutrition Therapist

What struck me first at the WCF was the sheer size of the stage - 7acres and 40 feet high! And what came across as a greater surprise was that it had no foundation! It was floating on the Yamuna Plains!

Well, the foundation of the stage lay in the power of love and cultures that upheld the stage, not only on the plains, but extended itself onto the world. I conceived this to be a message for humility- to have a massive presence, but having one that floats, that takes the world in our stride, by keeping close to the ground we rose from.

We are fortunate to witness an epitome of what the stage conveyed - our Gurudev - a personification of humility! And yes, only his love could move the world! Jai Guru Dev. 

- Aparna Kale, Architect

By Guruji’s grace we got a chance to show our talent to perform Dhangari Dhol at such a grand event, so we are very thankful to the Art of Living Foundation. We came to experience how true is the concept of Vasudhaiva Kumtumbhakam and came to know about the art and culture of 155 countries. Through this event Guruji has given our 1000 Dhangari Dhol performers a platform to perform for world peace. We were truly amazed to be a part of such a huge and grand event. Guruji has done this event to take depressed people like us on this global platform. Once again we are very much thankful to Guruji and the entire Art of Living Foundation.

- Biru Oma Pujari, Dholwadak