Once again it was splendid lights, no camera and perfect action time for Study Hallians! It was the concert time based on the theme “I Thrive When We Thrive.” The students and teachers sweated and worked hard for months to put up the final show on 22nd and 23rd November, 2023 at the Sant Gadge Auditorium, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.
Mrs Meenakshi Bahadur, the Principal of the school made the parents and the students realise that it’s called thriving — the psychological state in which people experience a sense of both vitality and learning and that is exactly what the philosophy of the school believes in. The theme had been given to the students in the month of April when the session began. Right from conceptualizing to script writing till the final presentation, the students surprised everyone with their creativity and innovation.
The honourable CEO of SHEF, Dr. Urvashi Sahni, demystified the New Education Policy and apprised the parents of the gravity of theatre, dance and music in the new teaching methodology.
The evening lamps were lighted with the first dance performance Aham Brahmasmi with the realization that we are one with Brahman (reality), we can love each other and love all living and non-living beings. If one realizes that you and I are part of Brahman, we cannot hate or destroy each other. Followed by Suryavandana- a tribute to the eternal source of energy and power, the Sun God.
The mood was set and the parents were eagerly waiting to watch their cherubims performing on stage. And their eyes were delighted when class 6th students came on stage with “Ubuntu, ” which is synonymous with compassion and empathy. It encourages individuals to recognize the humanity in others, to feel their joys and sorrows, and to respond with kindness and understanding.
Parents are as much a part of the SHEF family as our students are. This year Study Hall gave an opportunity to all the parents to relive their school years. Their smiles spoke of the nostalgia among them all and the contentment filled with delight while giving their musical performance, was beyond any award. What a show it was!
The evening reached its zenith with class 7th’s performance “Symphony” and together they proved that the world is an orchestra, the universe is a symphony.
The path to salvation, bhakti and devotion as given by Saint Kabir was reminded by a soulful performance by class 10th. The students of Centre For Learning imparted a powerful message of grit and perseverance by the means of their euphonious rendition, “Bus Chalna Hai” and a beautiful recital of the poem “Still I Rise” by Mata Angelou. The students from Dosti danced to the joys of life.
“Each To All” was an eye opening dance and music extravaganza presented by the students of class 8th. Keeping up with the spirit of inclusivity amid diversity, they made the audience realize that we, along with the planet can only survive in coexistence and not in isolation.
Class 9th came up with the most passionate and evocative performance of the evening, “Riverance”- leavingt the audience spell bound. With the poignant portrayal of a river’s lament and desperate cry to respect and restore the healthy bond which existed between them and humans not so long ago.
It was class 11th who left the audience in awe with their “Hamari Amrita” by Amrita Pritam. In the spotlight was a woman whose soul was a tempest, and whose words were the lightning that shattered the silence of her times with the spontaneity of love, the complexity of relationships and her bold and ahead of her times socio-political outlook. It made the audience relive the pangs of separation through partition which has been a heavy burden to bear, as it tore apart what was once whole and left people on both sides to mend the broken pieces.
The last event of the evening, , the prayer for the well- being of all- the Mangalam of all was a befitting finale which was much appreciated by one and all.
The final vote of thanks by the Vice Principal Mrs. Meenakshi Shah captured the unforgettable moments of an epic concert, leaving behind the great message, “All are needed by each one; Nothing is fair or good alone.”