The Children’s Day celebrations hosted by the acharyas for the Pre-Primary, Primary, Middle and High School learners was a delightful surprise. The event began with a solemn prayer and was followed by a lively theatre production. Various genres of music and dance were lined up as a part of this performance. The grand finale was a fashion show highlighting the rich tapestry of weaves of India, raising awareness to preserve the traditional industry and artisans.
The learners of grade VI visited Dakshin Chitra – a cross cultural museum of art and architecture. The visit provided them an opportunity to discover various houses and utensils authentic to specific states. The traditional ‘karagattam’ and ‘Thappattam’ genres of folk dances were performed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. The learners also were engaged in a hands-on experience on sketching the Patachitra, an indigenous art form of Odisha.
The learners of grade VII went on a memorable field trip to Mahabalipuram as part of their Utsav program. Guided by Mr. Ketu Ramachandrashekhar, they explored the intricately carved Pancha Rathas, Mahishasura Mardhini temple and Krishna Mandapam. The trip helped the learners appreciate the region’s historical and artistic heritage.
As a part of Utsav 2023 learners of grade VIII visited Sirudavoor Village. This trip provided them with experiential learning opportunities to explore village life, culture, organic farming and sustainable agriculture. Knowledgeable guides accompanied the learners throughout this village visit, ensuring a rich and educational experience.
Learners of Grade IX and XI went to Dakshin Chitra as part of their Utsav field visit. The learning during this visit was both immersive and experiential. The learners enjoyed exploring the various cultural settings and their intricate detailing from various states of the country. The learners relished the traditional Kerala Sadhya and North Indian cuisines for lunch. Learners of grade X also visited the Marundheeshwarar Temple to experience the magnificent architecture of the mesmerising temple.
The Middle School Utsav consisted of sessions by eminent resource people like Shri. Ramachandra Sekhar, Shri. Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan, Smt. Deepa Duraiswamy, Kum. Manasvini, Kum. Sristikha Sriram to explore ancient scriptures, temple architecture and sacred practices. Be it our timeless art form of Upanyasam or the Bharatanatyam segment, the interactive sessions touched upon the wisdom of artistic expressions that define our cultural legacy.
‘Krida’ an activity on comic strip making reinforced the value of forbearance in our day-to-day learnings for the learners of grade VI. ‘Mandir Margam’, ensued a thorough research and presentation on the history and architecture of temples by the learners of grade VIII. This activity demonstrated their appreciation of our profound culture and historic dimension of sacred spaces which they shared with their peers. The learners of Middle School were also a part of the tour of ‘Parambariyam’ offering hands-on experiences in folk games, country chemist shops, and folk dances. ‘Culture Cues’, a performance led by learners of grade VIII centeredon cultural values of VasudeivaKutumbakam, Forbearance, Resilience, Regard for the Scared and Sustainability. The values were presented through skits, songs and speeches that connected with their roots fostering a deep appreciation for our cultural heritage.
The session, ‘Vedic Pond’, gave an opportunity to learners of High School to evaluate the importance of the Questioning and Debating system of Ancient India and the leadership qualities as seen in the Mahabharata. The importance of communication and well-being were demonstrated through live Bharatanatyam, Silambam and Kalari performances. The live cooking show focussed on the importance of healthy eating practices.
Learners of grade II, wearing traditional attire, visited the Shringeri Sharadhambal temple and a Gurudwara. They were given a guided tour of both the places of worship. This hands-on exposure to the multi-cultural practices enriched the importance of diversity and respect for all. The day ended with learners enjoying a Langar meal. To appreciate nature’s abundance, learners of grade III visited Farm Guru to learn about farming. They participated in planting, threshing and ploughing activities. They also interacted with farmers and rode tractors and bullock carts. The children enjoyed an organic meal and even took back some rice to cook at home.
This unique experience enhanced their understanding of agriculture and sustainability. As a part of Utsav 2023 celebrations the learners of Primary School celebrated our culture by experiencing and exploring different art forms like music and dance. They enjoyed storytelling sessions which emphasized on the importance of respect, kindness, sharing, caring and discipline. The first day of Utsav for Primary began with a session by Mr. Pradeep Chakravarthy who talked about genuine happiness found in being empathetic to the needs of others and assuming responsibility to uphold dharma. An engaging session with Mrs. Geeta Balaji took the young minds on a journey through the timeless concept of Satyam Vad, the virtue of speaking the truth. Learners of grades IV and V identified characters from the puranas displaying the qualities of dharma and adharma. Dr. Radhika Vairavavelavan and her learners presented a captivating dance performance illustrating the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu through Bharatanatyam.
The learners of grades II and III were engaged in a story session with Mrs. N Subhasri on Lord Krishna’s faithful devotee Pundalik. The parents also joined the celebration by creating kolans and rangolis on the themes of Navaratri while the parents of grades IV and V made thoranams and garlands. The themes of ‘Respect of All’, ‘Kindness’ and ‘Generosity’ were explored through the narration of the timeless epic, ‘Periya Puranam’. The learners showcased their understanding by illustrating and writing about the stories they learned through the Utsav sessions.
Mrs. Brindha Venkatakrishnan and Mr. Venkatakrishnan delighted the learners with a lively performance depicting Lord Krishna’s life. Mrs. Brindha’s graceful dance and Mr. Venkatakrishnan’s vibrant singing created an engaging experience. The children not only enjoyed the show but also learned expressive mudras, highlighting the importance of storytelling through different mediums like song, drama and dance. The learners of the Primary were part of a wellness session condicted by Dr. Narasimha Jammi emphasizing the importance of food. The session also focused on adapting a healthy lifestyle and how conscious consumption of food can have a vital impact on our health. This was followed by Mr. Mohan Gandhi’s musical rendition on “Swara Dhwani and Raaga Bhava”. Mr. Shravan Ramakrishanan’s theatre performance on daily values was embraced by the learners with a lot of enthusiasm. The concluding day of Utsav featured a mesmerizing performance by a skilled group of artists from Kerala showcasing the versatile instrument, Chenda Melam. The learners also played our traditional games of PallanKuzhi, Pandi and Snake & Ladder. The school kitchen joined in the festivities by serving traditional Chettinad cuisine on banana leaves. Parents were also welcome to join for the special meals.
The Utsav 2023 celebrations for the learners of grade I was a delightful and enriching experience. With the value of friendship as the backdrop, Ms. Subasri narrated the story of Lord Krishna and his beloved friend Sudama, while Mr. Shravan Ramakrishanan from ‘Paati’s Beats’ performed a captivating folk drama on the theme. To enhance the understanding of our culture and traditions, learners made toranams of mango leaves and learned about the significance of tying toranams during auspicious occasions, adding a meaningful touch to the festivities. Extending the Utsav learning experience, learners visited the Marundeeshwarar temple. Observing the daily practices in the temple, visiting the goshala and offering bananas for the cows were all experiences to connect with the culture. As a culmination of the celebration, learners drew representations of their learning journey, adding a personal touch.
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