Vision & Impact of Swami Gitananda Giri at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry.
In 1967, Yogamaharishi Dr.Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj, a visionary and Yoga master, returned to India and sparked a wave of spiritual growth and cultural revival in South India. His teachings not only transformed the lives of those who learned Yoga from him, but also revived the classical Indian arts of dance and music, which he saw as pathways to uplift the human spirit.
In this interview, Swami Gitananda’s son, Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, takes us on a heartfelt journey of his father’s and mother’s (Param Pujya Ammaji Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani) extraordinary life and work. From building a strong Yoga community to nurturing a new generation of artists, this is a story of passion, tradition, and an enduring legacy that continues to inspire people worldwide.
These institutions founded by Swamiji and Ammaji include
ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry
Highlights of the Interview:
● Swamiji’s journey back to India
● Building a Yoga community and teaching freely
● Integrating Indian dance and music into daily life
● Creating spaces for children’s holistic growth
● Founding ICYER and Yoganjali Natyalayam
● Swamiji’s vision and message for the future
This interview will leave you with a deep sense of connection to these ancient traditions and their relevance in our modern world.
Credits:
● Editing: G2V Studios, Puducherry
● Video Footage: Yogacharini D Lakshmi
● Music: The Crimson Tide by The Calm Shores
● Archival Video Footage: Yogaratna Arunanatha Giri
● Archival Photos: Various photographers of the ICYER Ananda Ashram, Yoganjali Natyalayam and Sri Kambaliswamy Madam over the past 55 years including Shri Vidyavrata, Shri Babuji, Shri Ravi, Shri Raman, Sri Velu, Ammaji Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani and others.
