Echoes Naad Ninaad ‘21  

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” ― Aldous Huxley.

Music is that connecting thread, that golden wire, which binds our hearts, souls and emotions together. It invariably finds a unique expression in every culture, mapping the vast distance created by the difficult times that we presently live in. To celebrate music as a way of life, the Performing Arts Society of Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram organised ‘Echoes Naad-Ninaad’, the annual inter school music festival, from 29 – 30 January 2021 via the virtual platform Google Meet. This soulfully curated event saw a passionate response from over 24 schools across the country. 

DAY 1 

The Indian Classical Singing competition was a solo live event conducted in melodious spirits and joyful fervour. The students were instructed to perform any raag in chhota kayal for two minutes, and this was to be complimented by the playing of a Harmonium or Taanpura. The participants brilliantly executed the pieces and displayed their mastery over voice modulation, pitch, rhythm and tone. They were judged on the basis of their sur, laya and overall presentation by prolific musicians Ms. Vipasha Mishra and Mr. Karan Wali. 

In the Indian Instrumental competition, a solo event held in the mirth of musical ingenuity; participants were tasked with playing classical or self composed pieces inspired by a Raga, on any traditional Indian instrument of their choice for two minutes. The students displayed their remarkable skills as aspiring musicians through enthralling performances and were judged on the basis of tonality, synchronization, tuning, creativity and originality by seasoned instrumentalists Mr. Danish Sharma and Mr. Soumya Biswajit.  

The Indian Classical Dance competition was a solo live event held for classes IX-XII. The dancers were supposed to depict cultural values, stories of love and worship in a captivating way through Kathak, Bharatnatyam and Odissi in a time limit of 3 minutes. The participants danced gracefully and showcased singularly mesmerising performances. They were judged on the basis of rhythm, authenticity, expression, and choreography by classically trained dancers Ms Vaishnavi and Ms Gayatri Seth. 

DAY 2 

The Western Dance Competition was an individual event wherein participants performed solo dance compositions on western instrumental tracks and well known songs, battling all odds of the pandemic to put up a spectacular performance within the boundaries of their homes. Their performances were a perfect epitome of passion and determination, that shone in every action and every step. They were judged on rhythm, authenticity, expression, choreography and the overall presentation and judged by enriched and experienced judges, Ms. Nishi Joshi and Ms. Devina Chawla. 

The Western Instrumental Competition was a solo event in which the participants played many melodious numbers from different genres to showcase their skill. The young maestros displayed their expertise in an instrument chosen by them in under two minutes. They were judged on the basis of originality, rhythm, creativity and technicality. The adroit panel of judges comprised Mr. Worin Tungshang, Music Teacher, Mt. Carmel School, Dwarka and Mr. Udbhav Seth, a Delhi Public School R.K. Puram alumnus. 

ONLINE SUBMISSION EVENTS

The Western Group Song was a recorded group event wherein the respective groups performed self-composed songs or a cover song in under three minutes; ingeniously organized and presented from within the four walls of their homes. The members displayed their musical excellence and melodic creativity in pure virtuosity, delighting the judges and emboldening the names of their schools in golden letters. The teams were judged on the basis of tonality, synchronization, creativity/originality, message content and technical organization by accomplished artists Mr. Shomi Lungleng, Violinist, One World Music, Gurgaon and Mr. Songayam Zimik, Classical Guitarist and Leader, Music Team, Tangkhul Church Delhi.

In the Indian Orchestra, participants in their respective groups performed and submitted self-configured classical Indian instrumental pieces in under three minutes; masterfully presented even in the limits casted by the pandemic. They exhibited sublime musicality and brilliant symphonies in eloquent virtuoso; charming the viewers and upholding the pride of their schools. The event was judged by instrumentalists Mr. Danish Sharma and Mr. Soumya Biswajit. 

The Indian Group Song was a recorded group event. Participants in their respective groups performed a self-composed classical Indian song in under three minutes. The young singers impressed all observers by unveiling their soulful voices and moving melodies in incredible adroit. Ms. Vipasha Mishra and Mr. Karan Wali judged this event. 

Valedictory 

The valedictory ceremony of ‘Echoes Naad-Ninaad 2021’ took place on 8 February, 2021 via YouTube. It commenced with the spiritual lamp-lighting ceremony by The Principal, Vice-Principals, Activities Incharges and the HOD of the Performing Arts Society, accompanied by a melodious traditional Hindi prayer. 

The skilled instrumentalists of D.P.S. R.K. Puram’s Western Music Society showcased their phenomenal skills by a captivating performance. 

The esteemed Chief Guest for the day was  Mr. Mahesh Prabhakar, the Music Director of the internationally renowned music label ‘T-Series’. Mr. Takar Nabam, a prolific guitarist, and alumnus of D.P.S. R.K. Puram, kindly consented to be the Guest of Honour. 

In her welcoming address, The Principal, Ms. Padma Srinivasan, spoke of how ‘Echoes’ provides young musicians with a platform to explore their musical talents and capabilities. She expressed her gratitude towards the Performing Arts department and the various event moderators, whose unyielding efforts were instrumental in making the event a major success. She also congratulated all participants and commended their brilliant performances. According to Ms.  Padma Srinivasan, the joy and experience gained from participating in events triumphs immaterial concepts such as prizes. There are no losers, she insists; it is the beautiful journey to the destination of performance that outweighs all trivial matters. 

The proficient performers of D.P.S. R.K. Puram’s Indian Dance Society put forth an elegant and poignant performance, wherein they gracefully depicted various traditional dances from across India. 

The Chief Guest, Mr. Mahesh Prabhakar, stressed on the importance of studying music both as a subject and an art form. According to him, the freedom to express oneself creatively leads to spiritual contentment and growth and yields many added benefits, such as facilitating concentration and the ability to connect with fellow musicians and the audience. In his opinion, delving into the craft of music also leads to the strengthening of one’s motor skills, imagination, and coordination and leads to the overall expansion of their vision and horizon. In this sense, Mr. Prabhakar applauded D.P.S. R.K. Puram for consistently providing students with such vast opportunities in the field of music. 

Mr. Takar Nabam, the Guest of Honour, narrated his personal experiences about being a part of R.K. Puram’s vibrant Performing Arts Society. He revealed how being surrounded by extraordinarily gifted and diligent musicians from a young age inspired him to grow as an artist and performer. Thus, he extended heartfelt greetings and gratitude towards all the Performing Arts department members, as well as the faculty, for having profoundly impacted his life and career. Mr. Nabam concluded by wishing the young musicians well on their future endeavours and urged them to continue practising and developing expertise in their craft. 

The results of the various events were announced, accompanied by short glimpses of the winning performances to the delight of the audience. 

The Headmistress, Ms. Rashmi Malhotra addressed the audience and thanked the esteemed guests for gracing the event with their presence and leaving an indelible mark on the students with their words of wisdom. She also thanked the Principal, Ms. Padma Srinivasan, for her constant support and guidance, which according to her motivates every member of this institution to wholeheartedly contribute to events. Ms. Malhotra expressed sincere gratitude towards the Performing Arts Department under the able guidance of Ms Renu Bassi, the various event incharges, and the technical team, whose persistent efforts made the event a soaring success. She concluded by congratulating the numerous participants on their splendid and unforgettable performances. 

Ms Renu Bassi, H.O.D, Performing Arts, extended her gratitude to the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour for taking time out of their hectic schedules to attend the event. She thanked the Principal, Ms Padma Srinivasan for giving the children this platform to showcase their talent in spite of these trying times. She also thanked the Headmistress, Ms Rashmi Malhotra for constantly guiding and being a source of encouragement to both the teachers and students and shaping the programme from its inception to the culmination. Finally, Ms. Bassi thanked the teachers and faculty members who worked tirelessly, making this programme a huge success, and implored the young maestros never to give up practising and performing music. 

The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem, and a short informative message on Covid-19. 

The results for the various events are as follows –