The fourth Creative Assembly of the academic year 2019-20 was celebrated Atmiya Vidya Mandir by Satyam House on 2nd December 2019. With the title “જેટલી Oxygen ની જરૂર છે એના કરતાં હજાર ગણી જરૂર સાચા સંતની છે.” the assembly conveyed the invaluable message on the importance of a spiritual Guru in our life. It also inculcated the values of Indian culture and heritage. The assembly was unique in three ways. Firstly, along with the fusion of two contrasting genres: ancient history and contemporary chronicle, the play was a blend of two separate phases of drama, practice and performance. Secondly, the episodes were comprised of vibrant moments that aroused excitement and thrill in the audience. And thirdly, the stage properties and decorations were based on wide-ranging themes extending from prehistoric forest to modern petrol pump.

The preparation started with an earnest prayer to Shree Thakorji and Param Pujya Swamishree for giving us the strength to serve with Divinity in vision and Atmiyata in action. Soon, the rigorous groundwork started with untiring enthusiasm and genuine sincerity. Right from scripting to enacting, the teachers and students were entirely filled with sanctity and joy. Our esteemed Vice-Principal Ashish Sir led the scripting of two inspiring episodes; one was of Lord Krishna and his friend Arjun, and the other was of Pujya Prabhudas Bhai and his friend Mahesh. An enlightening conclusion was delivered in the play. The play was well treated and vividly scripted into 3 acts and 6 scenes. Pravartak Sir and Prabhudarshan Sir directed the play with great patience. They not only guided the participants modestly for more than half a month but also synced the theme with characters, actions, dialogues and music. Prabhumagna Sir and Purvesh Sir lead Satyam House members and modelled efficient coordination between the school schedule, sports schedule and hostel schedule. On one hand, Pujeet Bhai helped with recording of the dialogues and sounds professionally, Vipul Sir on the other hand, painted a full-length 3D background for the stage. The house teachers decorated the stage with realistic tress, royal chariot, old-aged cycles, village houses, sand roads, assembly hall and petrol pump. And making all these worth, the participating students splendidly enacted and carried the entire play graciously.

The play benefited all of us in several ways. Every member of the school was involved and could gain a new experience, which couldn’t have been attended to in the regular course of schooling. Students gained invaluable insights about various aspects of life. This creative assembly not only provided a platform to express themselves in public but also enhanced their abilities to work well along with others. The experience has boosted students’ self-confidence, brightened their self-image and augmented their self-respect. Participants have eventually overthrown their reluctance by active partaking and overcome their fear through stage performances. The students got to spend informal time with their peers and teachers to interact on various areas of individual interest. Along with the intellectual, social and physical upliftment, the emotional aspect of student’s life was also heartened. Whereas for the teachers, this event was a rare occasion to meet students in non-academic situation and observe them in an informal scenario. Teachers appreciated students’ skills and talents which in turn helped them to build a strong rapport with students of diverse personalities. More importantly it was an opportunity for all house members to become atmiya with peers and colleagues.

Every member of the house wanted to make this event a grand success. The spectacular scenes and live acts were smartly supported from back stage and wonderfully enacted on stage. Whether it be the syncing of dialogue delivery with apt actions or breaking the chariot with the very microsecond of indicative sound, everything was timely and precisely performed. For the students, speaking the exact dialogues, enacting the directed actions, maintaining the appropriate postures and positions and matching the time and action, was a tough challenge to accept. Nevertheless, participants’ unflinching determination and unfaltering energy made it simply possible. Notably, students managed all these parallelly with the ongoing academic schedule, regular class work, listed homework and vigorous sports. The house teachers performed multifaceted roles by helping with directing the play, preparing the students, decorating the stage and arranging the properties along with the academic planning and preparation. However, AVM teachers’ well organised arrangements and seriatim approach made the process smooth and pleasant.

Reported by: Chirag Sir