Ganamrutham 2023-2024

"Music fills the infinite between 2 souls."
- Rabindranath Tagore

The 3rd of February was a day to remember for the children of primary grades as they participated in Ganamrutham 10, the school's annual concert. This is the culmination of the music classes held through the year and children take stage to render songs taught and sung through the year.

Ganamrutham 10, this year, was held as two sessions – grades 1 and 2 performing in the morning while the afternoon session witnessed the performance of the grades 3 to 5.

The invocation to Lord Ganesha with the popular Bhaja Maanasa Vigneshwaram by the middle years choir group accompanied by the instruments set the tone for the day.

The songs sung this year transcended the barriers of language and religion. Various genres of music were selected. Notes from all corners of the country were selected. Melodious, catchy songs in Hindi, English and Kannada were added to this enthralling medley. The diction and perfect enunciation of the lyrics of the songs in languages that these children are non-conversant with, is worthy of note.

Students of grade 1 rendered a range of songs manegondu mara about the environment to ‘Down in the Jungle’, ‘Maruthi maruthi’ and ‘Challangai katti’ both devotional bhajans. “Meri Pyaari ammi’, ‘Naaymaari’, Guru guha pada pankaja and ‘Daadi amma’ – these songs performed by the students of Grade 2 were themed on love and affection to a mother, a grandmother, Guru and even man’s best friend, the dog. Rendered in mellifluous tunes, the audience sat enthralled.

Grade 3 students performed songs on diverse topics – ‘Naan kaathuvaakala’ – on the environement; ‘Aali diwali’ – portraying the joy of Diwali, and ‘Pahi Ramachandra” – a song on the beauty of Lord Rama. The beauty of mother and the motherland was highlighted by the students of Grade 4 – ‘Thanga Manasu’ and ‘O Desh Mere’. ‘Pal vadiyum’ was a song in praise of Lord Krishna while ‘Dugga Ello’, a Bengali folk song added to the atmosphere.

Grade 5 chose to spotlight the invaluable roles of the mother and the guru thought the songs “Amma’ and ‘Sadgurum tam namaami’. The songs ‘Dhithithara Dhithithai’, ‘Kalinga Narthana Thillana’ had the audience swaying to the beats. Lilting tunes that touched the heart and the soul, undoubtedly.

The finale by the students of grade 4 and 5 spotlighted the different genres of music in India – from Carnatic to Hindustaani to folk and Quawaali.

A special rendition by the students of Grades 6 to 8 commemorating 10 years of NPSIC afforded the audience a walk down the memory lane – select songs from the Ganamrutham concerts over these years were presented to the enjoyment of many in the audience. This was an icing on the cake, indeed.

The songs and the music is both the sessions left the audience spell bound. Be it a devotional song, a patriotic track or just a melody, the sincere and heartfelt portrayal by the students caught the attention of the each and every one gathered for the occasion. The solo performances of both instrumental and vocal by select students of middle years engaged the audience. The thrum of excitement generated by the beats of the Bho band and the collaboration between the Percussionist faculty, the band member students and the audience along with student volunteers charged the auditorium infusing fervour with the enchantment of rhythm.

The Principal, Ms. Sudha Balan was appreciative of the students while the Chief Guest of the second session, Chitravina Dr. Ravi Kiran, commended on the song selection which were both diverse and powerful. He also applauded the efforts taken in having over 500 students taking the stage and singing in unison. Dr. Ravi Kiran also rendered a song of his composition celebrating the Ram Mandir, Ayodhya, mesmerising the audience.

The performance by the Music teacher, Ms. Madhumitha Shenoy and the Pakkavaadhyam along with our Instrument faculty, Mr. Kadirvel was equally remarkable.

At the conclusion of the programme, several members of the audience were heard humming one or the other tunes rendered by the students and therein lies the success of Ganamrutham 2023-24.