NPS International Perumbakkam, Chennai hosted its annual musical extravaganza “Ganamrutham” on the 25th of February. The event, held after a two-year hiatus, generated a buzz amongst all the parents and children associated with the event.
The musicale showcased the virtuosity of students from Grades 1 to 5. The performance was held in two sessions. Grades 1 and 2 displayed their musical prowess in the forenoon while the evening behind to the students of Grades 3 to 5. The recital began with an invocation that was both instrumental and vocal. Invoking lord Ganesha with the popular ‘Maha Ganapathim’, the instrumental music by students of grades 6 to 8 set the tone for the session. The vocal rendition of the stunning pieces including ‘Ini Namakoru kavalaiyum illai’ mesmerized the audience.
Students of Grade 1 sang an assortment of songs that included ‘Gajanana’, ‘I’ve got peace like a river’, ‘In the jungle’, and ‘Monta re’. Grade 2 students joined their forage by singing ‘Rama janardhana’, ‘Magic of love’, ‘Do re mi’ (Indian Version), and ‘Minnamini penne’. The crowning piece in this glory was the final band performance of the famous tune, Varaharoopam which left the audience spellbound. The Chief Guest of this show, Shalini Singh, popularly known as “Pop Shalini” has a wide repertoire of songs and has sung for all major music composers.
Grade 3 students paid tribute to a few eminent composers - Subramanya Bharathi, Sundara Moorthi Nayanar, Muthu Thandavar and Kannadasan. The presentation charmed the audience. The keyboard players of Grade 4 and 5 captivated one and all with their flawless rendition. Songs of Tulasi Das, Kabir Namdev Tukaram and Rabindranath Tagore presented by the students of grade 4 enthralled the audience with their melodious tunes. The songs include ‘Tumaka chalata’, ‘Chala mandirata’, ‘Ho sadhu’ and ‘Aye tobe sobochori’. Grade 5 chose to highlight the composers from the language of Telegu. Bhadrachala Ramdas, Annamacharya, Tyagaraja and Jagadguru Bharathi Theerth Swami’s compositions were rendered with great finesse. The songs rendered were ‘Paluke bangaramayine’, ‘Muddugare’, ‘Vandanamu’ and ‘Garuda gamana’.
The grand finale paid tribute to 75 years of Indian Independence with a medley of patriotic songs. Students also paid homage to the renowned singer S P Balasubramanyam by singing songs of his evergreen songs. The evening show was graced by Mrs. Sarada Thota Tharani, a renowned veena player.
The day saw about 600 students take stage with 120 in perfect unison at a time.
The annual musical highlights the importance music plays in a student’s life. The effort and dedication exhibited by our students to not just learn songs of diverse languages and genres but also perfect and produce the various nuances that these demand with ease and precision are praiseworthy indeed. A celebration of music on this remarkable day.