Parents and Students Please Note:
The synopsis for the item wise presentation being made on Incredible India - the 5th School Annual Day Celebrations has been uploaded here.
Please ensure that the children read it before attending the show.
A quiz will be held in the school a week later, on what they witnessed at the School Annual Day.
The PSBB Millennium Group of Schools – Chennai,
present
Incredible India!!
Languages are many – traditions are unique and practices are varied. Yet, like the spectrum of colours that make up white light, a spirit of patriotism and deep-rooted values unites this land of diversity.
1. Prayer: Sharanam Siddhi Vinayaka…. The opening prayer to Lord Vinayaka is not only customary but also tradition. The senior students of the Gerugambakkam School offer their prayer to Lord Vinayaka
2. Choir: The School choir comprising of 150 odd children from both the Gerugambakkam School and the Thamzhambur Branch in the OMR sing in 12 different languages. From the patriotic Vande Mataram the children course their way through Tamil, Bengali, Rajasthani, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, Sindhi, Kannada, Gujarati, Marati and finally culminate with Heal the World in English. The songs showcase the myriad hues and mellifluous forms of the country and its people who make it such a rich and vibrant country. Twelve different languages fused into one complete melody can happen only in India! The tiny tots of the Nursery section of the GST Road Campus and the OMR dance their way into everyone’s heart as the senior children provide them with foot-tapping music!!
3. Navarathri festival celebrated in the North, South, and East and West of the Hindu land is a woven splendor of color and gaiety. Music-Sangeetha, Nrithya-Dance and Natya -Drama is combined into an ecstatic offering to the creator. Every state brings out its rich and varied flavour in the celebration of this festival. From the celebration of the Garba dance in Gujarat to the majestic procession in honour of Goddess Chamundeswari in Mysore, to the traditional song and kolu in Tamilnadu, this presentation ends with clanging of the cymbals at the Pandal in Kolkatta during the Durga Pooja. The Primary students of the Gerugambakkam Branch represent a big contingent for this presentation.
4. Kerala: It is believed that Parashurama, the 6th Avatar of Vishnu created Kerela and hence the term “ God’s Own Country “. This story is depicted in the form of a dance drama. The story of Mahabali, the Asura King and the festival of Onam are intricately woven in the cultural fabric of Kerala. This colourful and vibrant presentation of these popular mythologies of Kerela is brought to you by the students of PSBB Millennium School, Thazhambur, OMR.
5. Karanataka: The Royal court of Krishna Devaraaya was a treasury of gems. Raman of Tenali wanted to be part of this great court and was willing to try anything to get into the court. In a short skit in English, we get to see how he uses his wit and intelligence to get the better of the Rajaguru of 25 years of standing and find himself a place in the Kings court.
6. The Western States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab compile a face book of eminent personalities - Spiritual leaders, Patriots, Poets, Industrialists and Warriors. Tales of valor, bravery and martyrdom are tinged with romance.
Maharashatra: Veer Shivaji of Maharastra who, even at the young age of 23 could place his supreme faith in Lord Panduranga who miraculously took on the form of Shivaji to counter attack the Mughal army who had come to capture Shivaji. Moving from the brave Shivaji to Bal Gangadhar Tilak, one leader who was instrumental in making a festival take on community hues. This kind of celebration of Vinayak Chathurti helped the people overcome their differences and work together.
Gujarat is the next stop on the journey and we are introduced to the faces that have made a difference in the way Gujarat is today. Every contributor has etched his name in the history of the State, starting with our very own Bapu! Colourful clothes, colourful people, they know how to match every step as they celebrate their Kite festival.
Rajasthan with its miles and miles of somber sand dunes contrasts against the brightly dressed people. The people are simple in their wants, gracious in their hospitality and deep in their religious faith. A simple camel fair can attract as much crowd at the Pushkar Lake as can the temple of Brahma. The ever-gracious hosts they enthrall their visitors with the Ghumar dance!
Punjab – the land of the t rivers, the land of the green revolution, the land of the famous Bhagat Singh, the land of the full of life people who revel in their traditional Bhangra. They are also the one consistent state that has sent soldiers into the army year after year, year after year, making a name for themselves. It is with pride that the soldiers march as they salute the people whom they protect!
7. Kashmir: This 6 minute presentation by the Thazhambur Branch OMR, begins with a beautiful panoramic depiction of the lifestyle prior to the violence, followed by a Kashmiri folk dance. The contrast between Pandit Nehru’s poignant memories and the current unrest is evocatively portrayed in a tableau. The finale is the unity between the Hindu and the Muslim children and conveyed through the song “We shall overcome”.
8. Uttaranchal: Ganga, the all-powerful river flows through the Northern Plains of India. Taking the course of the land she blesses people in her path. How did she get to come down to the land from her celestial abode? How was Bhageeratha responsible for this?? Why was Bhageeratha sent by Ganga to propitiate Brahma who in turn sent him to seek help from Lord Siva. The senior students of the Gerugambakkam Branch present this play in Sanskrit.
9. West Bengal – The very name of West Bengal brings to our mind the Nobel Laureate Rabindranatha Tagore! Adapting one of his most famous plays, ‘Chandalika’ is presented in dance ballet style in Bengali. This is an emotionally touching story of a lively young girl who wished to live life to its full. The seasons beckon the young villagers to break into a dance in celebration, but she cannot be part of the gaiety! She was a Chandalika or a Achut – an untouchable! The cry of the sweetmeat seller and the bangle seller draws her close to the group only to the quickly rebuffed by the village belles saying anything she touches will have no value thereafter. Chandaliks loses heart only to be scolded by her mother who asks her to stand up and be proud of what she is. Ananda, the disciple of Lord Buddha, passing through the village is parched and in search of water. He appeals to her and asks for water. Chandalika is shocked and says she cannot comply with his demand saying she is an untouchable. Ananda in his wisdom says that every body in creation is one and the same, as our creator has created it. Who are we mere mortals to differentiate between one and the other? This endearing character, presented in dance drama will linger in our minds forever.
10. Orissa: Deep rooted in religious faith and beliefs, are touching stories of our simple folk of the state of Orissa. An elderly brahmin is accompanied by a young brahmin on their journey to Brindavan. Pleased with the devotion of the younger Brahmin the elder Brahmin promises his daughter’s hand in marriage. A solemn promise made in the presence of Krishna seals the deal. The elder Brahmin returns home and announces his decision about the suitor for his daughter. On hearing about his being poor the sons object and insist that their father should break his given promise. Unaware of the developments the young Brahmin comes to their home only to be ridiculed and turned away. The young Brahmin calls for a Panchayat where he presents his claims. The panchayat asks if God will come as his witness! The true faith of the young Brahmin makes him believe in his Krishna and prays to him to come as a witness. The Lord asks the young Brahmin to pray for 48 days and offer neivedhya. He then tells him that he will come with him as his true witness. But he also warns the young Brahmin not to turn back to see if he is being followed. Unfortunately the sound of his bells are muffled by the sand and the young Brahmin makes the mistake of turning back to see if Krishna is following him. Krishna who came as his Sakshi Gopal remains rooted to the place to this day. The play ends with the Rath yatra process of the Puri Jagannath temple. The students of the Gerugambakkam Branch present this play in Hindi.
11. Andhra Pradesh: The southern state of Andhra is an elixir of cultural delight. The elegant and traditional Kuchipudi dance form, the rhythmic and lively Qawwali and the heartwarming compositions of Annamacharya all sum up as Sundara Telugu. This fast paced item helps us traverse through the state of Andhra Pradesh taking in its flavours. The students of Gerugambakkam present this musical.
12. Tamilnadu: Tamizhagam the land of the Dravidians is portrayed as Ullaga Tamizh Senmozhi Manadu, highlighting eight of the Iniavai Naarpadu. So magnetic was the meet that it even got the Chola, Cheran and Pandian Kings to assemble in Coimbatore. The presentation in tableau and dance form highlights
political stability, poetry, devotion, courage, jurisdiction, charity, and hospitality is crowned by a developing science and technology.
The sound of the conch leads to the grand finale reiterating that India is – Sare Jahan se Accha!!!