Devotees at the Shirdi Sai Temple were treated to an evening of pure devotion and melody as New England’s celebrated singer Anuradha Palakurthi presented Samarpanam, a soul-stirring devotional concert accompanied by a stellar live orchestra featuring leading musicians from India. Joining her on stage were acclaimed tabla maestro Nitin Mitta and vocalist Mithilesh Patankar, along with talented students from Anuradha’s academy, who added depth and freshness to the performance.

“I had always wanted to do a devotional concert. When I came to this temple, I said, this is where I want to do it,” said Palakurthi, reflecting on her inspiration for Samarpanam.

The two-hour concert featured a thoughtfully curated selection of devotional music — from beloved Meera and Surdas bhajans to the timeless Annamacharya Kriti “Sriman Narayana.” Several pieces, popularized through Indian cinema, resonated deeply with the audience. Known for her commanding Bollywood performances, Palakurthi showcased her classical finesse through renditions that were both technically accomplished and emotionally stirring.

Mithilesh Patankar’s powerful presentation of Shankara Nada Sharira drew enthusiastic applause, while the students’ graceful rendition of Shri Ramachandra reflected the rigor and discipline of their training.

What made Samarpanam truly special was the devotion and sincerity with which each piece was performed. Palakurthi, who has graced international stages and recording studios, approached the temple setting with reverence and humility, transforming the evening into a deeply spiritual experience for all present.

For many attendees, the concert became a personal moment of reflection and joy. One devotee, who was observing Karwa Chauth, described how the music made the traditional fast effortless: “Usually the wait for the moon feels long, but the concert was so uplifting that time seemed to stand still — and right after it ended, the moon appeared.”

The Shirdi Sai Temple, located in Chelmsford, is the largest Sai temple in North America. Alongside the main sanctum for Shirdi Sai Baba, it houses shrines dedicated to Ganesha, Muruga, Durga, Vasavi Mata, Ram Parivar, Radha Krishna, Sharika Mata, Mahalakshmi, Bhu Devi, Jagannath Swami, and the Navagrahas. The temple relies on community support for its upkeep, and the concert served as both a devotional celebration and a fundraiser for this spiritual hub.

For more information or to contribute to the temple’s ongoing efforts, visit nessp.org.

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