Meher Baba visited Avatar’s Abode from June 3rd to June 6th, 1958. The property had been recently acquired by Francis Brabazon and under his direction was readied for Baba’s visit.
“The Anniversary”, or “Anno” for short, commemorates with talks, song, dance, theatrical programs and film this visit of the Ancient One to the ancient continent of Australia. It is a singular sahavas.
Francis and the large team of workers who helped prepare the Abode for Baba’s visit worked at such breakneck speed to be ready for him that they neglected to prepare entertainment. This resulted in a lasting and concerted effort by Francis to emphasize the importance of entertaining the Beloved.
This anniversary lasted a week instead of the usual four days and was an extraordinary love fest of poetry, song, dance, theatre, art, film and talks. The poetic work of Francis was central to the programming.
Celebrants came from all over the world and from all over Australia.
One of the extraordinary aspects of the Anniversary is the inclusion of children. Australia is very family oriented and makes a remarkable effort to mentor children in the praise of the Beloved. This results in an exceptional pool of talent in the young Australians who are committed to the Abode’s remarkable legacy as represented in Francis’ work.
The roster of musical, theatrical and creative talent was amazing: Raine Eastman-Gannett, Jim Meyer, Debbie Nordeen and the choir she rehearsed and conducted, the Wine Shop Singers, Bobbi Bernstein, Jim Frisino, Jacob Horsey, Ward Parks, Kris Hynes, Susan “Kazoo” Jamison, Angela Newcomb and her husband OJ and their daughter Amelie, Elischia Swan and Friends, Lady Longdrop (Kendra Keller), Jenny and Ross Keating, Merwan Stevens, Roshu Kaningri, Meherveena, Mehershoba, Meherpriya, Mihir Masterchief, Swaroop, Manjushra, Susan and Darrel Smith, Sage Andreasan, Lorraine Woods, Jeda Palmer, Eve Plant and others (I will pay for forgetting to remember everyone.)
The speakers were amazing: Peter Nordeen, a recently emerged metaphysical and historical speaker in the Baba community, Shridhar Kelkar, Bernard Bruford, Bill LePage, Geoff Gunther, Ray Kerkhove, Charmaine Foley, Cynthia Borg, Noel Adams and the amazing and unexpected appearance of Professor Meherwan Ali who vastly expanded the scope of the program’s agenda with reference to the paleontological context (dinosaurs used to roam the Abode).
The only dissonant note was the film provided by Sufism Reoriented which was prefaced by an address written by murshida Carrol Conner. The film was of a play that depicted the arrival of Francis in San Francisco to meet Rabia Martin, the murshida of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s Sufi lineage. The play was poorly scripted and directed. The only remarkable acting was that which portrayed Ivy Duce. The play was cast into the form of a Broadway musical for reasons unknown. Francis came across as a bumbling fool. But the worst part was the address by Carrol Conner which pathetically suggested that the reason why Sufism Reoriented did not take root in Australia was because of “a lack of sufficient resources”. This is a complete and unforgivable falsification of the facts. The leadership of SR has gone senile in its appreciation of Baba’s work with Francis in Australia. (Baba completely and irrevocably divorced Francis’ work in Australia from any relationship to sufism or Sufism Reoriented).
A special edition of “In Dust I Sing” by Francis was released during the Anno; This remarkable book of English language ghazals has long been unavailable but is now back in print with a very attractive cover painting by John Parry.
The food was excellent. The pandal protected us from the willy-willy (Australian tornado) that arrived with sudden force. By Baba’s grace it stood tall and strong. The work to put on such an event was considerable and those who made it possible are the unsung heroes of this occasion. This includes the various planning committees, the set up and take down, the chauffeuring of guests, the staging of events, the cooking and clean up, the child care and so on.
Avatar’s Abode will always represent the ideal of honoring and entertaining the Beloved as the expression of family and community effort.
