Swimming ISSO
Our school actively participated in the Swimming ISSO event, organized at Prometheus School in Noida, which took place from September 13 to 14, 2023. This report highlights our students’ outstanding performances in various swimming events during the competition.
Domestic excursions – Ladakh
Day 1 – Ladakh excursions
The journey to Ladakh began as we bid adieu to our beautiful campus and headed towards Pune Airport, where we boarded a flight to Delhi. Upon reaching Delhi Airport, we had to navigate the busy terminals, which was a bit hectic, but we eventually, landed in the exotic Ladakh.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration:
‘Bhadrapada’, in this holy month of Hindu Calendar once more Gurukul welcomed our beloved Lord Ganesha on the auspicious day of ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ with the vibrant colors of devotion, essence of flowers and beats of dhol-tasha. The five days festival spread spirit, joy and energy within the campus. The students just not enjoyed but deepened themselves into Lord’s devotional aura. It was a wonderful feeling seeing students touching the feet of all the elders around without anyone’s instruction. They participated wholeheartedly in all the rituals right from Ganesh Sthapana, twice a day Arti till the immersion.
While our kids are so fascinated with the world of Artificial Intelligence, it’s a small attempt to add a tinge of spirituality by reminding them about the existence of God through a robot bowing his head to the Lord. The entire ambience was created based on the theme of AI as reflected in a picture below.
By Ms. Stuti Vasavada
Dhol Tasha Pathak
Dhol tasha vadan is an art form deeply-rooted in the Maharashtrian culture. Students played the tunes with energy, enthusiasm, and devotion towards Lord Ganesha. Dhol tasha vadan forms a symphony of dhwaj, tasha, dhol, jhanj, toll. The magic of Dhol-Tasha, one of the most uplifting, enthralling and rhythmic events experienced in our school.
The Dhol-Tasha tradition is one of the most beautiful examples of inclusiveness as it allows people of all ages across all the programmes of the school and walks of life to join as participants, creating a rhythm ensemble which showcases the diversity of the tradition wonderfully. These participants also give it their heart and soul. Once students joined the troupe, they began by learning these instruments from the very basics. Much like any drum, students learned the Bass(thoka) and Tone(thapi) and combinations of these low and high pitch sounds to make the final Rhythm(Theka). Students while tying these really heavy dhols around their waist learned to play the Pathak. That’s the magic of music, once the rhythm takes over, the mind, body and soul are all aligned in perfect sync. We have also added some of these rhythms to our repertoire of Drum Circle Rhythms .
Even though playing in a Dhol-Tasha pathak requires an immense amount of physical and mental energy, the belief that playing the drums is a spiritual experience making every participant in the pathak endure it with a smile on their faces, and playing it with a group makes it even more powerful, satisfying and sacred much like a Drum Circle or any group drumming activity.
By Mr Manish M Manduwar
GANAPATI BAPPA MORYA!
Ganesh Chaturthi is a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity. The festival is observed with great enthusiasm and devotion in many parts of India and by Hindu communities worldwide.
The significance of Ganesh Chaturthi lies in the various aspects associated with Lord Ganesha. He is believed to be the harbinger of good fortune and the one who grants success in endeavours. People worship Lord Ganesha during this festival to seek his blessings for new beginnings, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles in their lives.
Ganesh Chaturthi also holds cultural and social significance. It brings communities together, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie. The festival is marked by vibrant processions, music, dance, and cultural performances. It serves as a platform for artistic expression and showcases the rich cultural heritage of India.
In our school, we celebrated Ganesh Chaturti with great enthusiasm and faith. The idol of lord Ganesha was brought on 18th September. Each and every day before the Visarjan, we celebrated with aarti in the evening. We followed the traditional rituals of chanting mantras and songs. Towards the end of the festival when the visarjan was about to take place, we carried out a full-fledged procession. On the 23rd we celebrated Ganesh Visarjan starting at 1:45pm with aarti, and then marking the ceremonial immersion of Lord Ganesha’s idol in the waters of Mula-Mutha. Eight members played various instruments on our way to the river, and I played the dhol in this pleasing event.
Participating in the Ganesh Visarjan celebration as a dhol player was an exhilarating and memorable experience. As I reflect on my role in this auspicious event, I am filled with a sense of joy, pride, and gratitude.
The rhythmic beats of the dhol echoed through the streets, creating an infectious energy that brought people together. The atmosphere was vibrant, with colourful decorations, lively music, and enthusiastic participants. As I played the dhol, I could feel the rhythm pulsating through my body, connecting me to the spirit of the festival.
One of the most rewarding aspects of playing the dhol during Ganesh Visarjan was witnessing the joy and excitement on the faces of the devotees. The sound of the dhol seemed to uplift their spirits, encouraging them to dance and celebrate with abandon. It was a powerful reminder of the unifying power of music and the ability to transcend language and cultural barriers.
Moreover, being a part of the Ganesh Visarjan celebration allowed me to immerse myself in the rich traditions and customs of my community. I felt a deep sense of belonging and pride as I contributed to the cultural heritage of my people. The experience also provided me with an opportunity to learn more about the significance of Lord Ganesha and the rituals associated with his immersion.
Playing the dhol during the Ganesh Visarjan was an experience filled with both challenges and triumphs. As I reflect upon my journey, I am reminded of the countless obstacles I encountered along the way. However, I am also proud of the determination and perseverance I displayed in overcoming these difficulties. From the very beginning, I knew that participating in the Ganesh Visarjan as a dhol player would not be an easy task. The path ahead was filled with uncertainties, and I was aware that I would face numerous challenges. Yet, I was driven by my passion for music and my desire to contribute to this auspicious occasion.
As the day of the Visarjan arrived, I found myself surrounded by a vibrant atmosphere, with the sound of dhol echoing through the air. The energy was palpable, and I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The weight of responsibility rested upon my shoulders, as I knew that my playing would play a crucial role in setting the rhythm and creating an immersive experience for everyone involved.
However, as I began playing, I encountered unexpected difficulties. The physical demands of dhol for an extended period became apparent, and fatigue started to set in. Additionally, the loud noises and charged environment made it challenging to maintain focus and stay in sync with the other musicians. Despite these obstacles, I reminded myself of the importance of perseverance and pushed through.
With each passing moment, I found myself growing more comfortable and confident in my abilities. The rhythm flowed through me, and I became one with the music. The cheers and applause from the crowd served as a testament to the impact our collective efforts were having on the atmosphere. It was truly an exhilarating experience, and I felt a deep sense of fulfilment.
Looking back, I realise that the difficulties I faced during the Ganesh Visarjan were not merely obstacles but opportunities for growth. They tested my resilience, adaptability, and commitment to my craft. Through perseverance and a willingness to learn from my mistakes, I was able to overcome these challenges and contribute to the success of the event.
Playing the drums in the Ganesh Visarjan taught me valuable lessons about dedication, teamwork, and the power of music to unite people. It reminded me that the path to success is rarely smooth, but with determination and a positive mindset, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
As I reflect on this experience, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such a significant cultural event. The memories I have created and the lessons I have learned will stay with me for a lifetime. I am proud of the effort I put forth and the impact I made, and I look forward to future opportunities to share my passion for music and contribute to the joyous celebrations of our diverse traditions.
By Mitra Banthia DP 1
CELEBRATING GANESH CHATURTHI WITH OUR CHILDREN
‘Ganpati Bappa Moriya!’ exclaimed our students, welcoming the majestic Lord Ganesha at MIT Pune’s Vishwashanti Gurukul which would be his home for the next 5 days.
On the 18th September, Tashas and humongous dhols beats shook the ground and filled us with enthusiasm as the most awaited Vignaharta arrived. Dressed up in traditional wear, we embraced all rituals and performed in unity seeking the blessings of mighty Bappa.
Over the course of 4 days, students from PYP, MYP, and DP were overjoyed participating in taking turns decorating, praying, singing aartis, ringing bells, playing instruments, and enjoying the prasad.
On the 23rd of September, the day of the Visarjan – our hearts sank as we prepared to bid goodbye to Lord Ganesha until next year. Colours of gulal or abir, and flower petals touched the sky and so did our spirits. The immersion procession was led by our student musicians followed an energized student crowd dancing their hearts out all the way around the campus to the Mula Mutha river while chanting “Ganpati Bappa Moraya Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya”. We called out to Bappa to visit us next year early, and shower us with his blessings.
By Anusuya Mohan Kubba DP1
