Music, drama, and dance melded into a living mosaic on 10 and 11 October 2026, as the Annual Day festivities commenced at 6 p.m. on the majestic openair stage set within the school grounds, showcasing the school theme for the academic sessions 2026–2028, Migration: Journeys That Shape Us.
The celebration was enriched by tableaux presented under the School’s flagship Citizenship Programme, featuring installations such as Migration of Birds and Animals — Journeys Across Seas and Lands, Irani Café — Stories of Journeys and Movements, Passport to Plates — A Journey of Food, and Migration and Citizenship. At its heart were the core tenets — Accept, Respect, Celebrate Differences, Learn from Others and Grow Together — weaving a collective culture of citizenship that resonated through every performance.
The programme was emceed with elegance and poise by Vansh Sharma (XIIA) and Shubhi Yadav (XB).
The extravaganza was graced by an eager gathering of school parents and several distinguished guests, including School Chairman, Mr Prafull Goradia, and School Patron, Dr (Mrs) Nayana Goradia, Ms Brinda Goradia Shroff, Chairperson of the School Managing Committee, Ms Madhavi Dewan, Member of the School Governing Board and members of the PTA body.
Principal Ms Tania Joshi extended a warm welcome to the guests, articulating the school’s philosophy of “edutainment” — the seamless blending of education and entertainment — which underpins every endeavour at the School. She reflected on how this philosophy transforms learning into a joyful, experiential journey, in harmony with the vision of NCF 2023, which champions holistic development. Ms Joshi emphasised that the Annual Day was not merely a spectacle but a living classroom, embodying a multidisciplinary approach where literature, science, art, and innovation intertwined to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and character.
To commemorate the splendour of the occasion, a brochure was ceremoniously released. Within its pages lay the evening’s heartbeat — a meticulous listing of the events staged and the names of the participants whose artistry gave them life.
The evening’s musical journey commenced with the School Choir — 184 radiant voices and 14 instruments. From the thunderous resonance of the tabla, dhol, dholak, the Persian darbuka, to the silver breath of the flute and melodica, from the electric surge of guitars and drums to the playful sparkle of tambourines, cymbals, clapbox, congo, harmonium and the violin— each note was a spark, each rhythm a ripple, together kindling a tapestry of harmony and a living river of sound.
The celestial choir opened with the timeless Ganesh Vandana, followed by Sant Kabir’s mystical verse “Kaha Se Aaya Hai, Kaha Hai Jaana” — a lyrical meditation on origins and destinations that mirrored the migrant’s search for belonging. The mood then turned nostalgic with the tender rendition of “Somewhere Only We Know”, a poignant reminder of lands left behind.
The odyssey ascended with “Din Din Falak Par”, celebrating resilience and the hope that rises anew each day. The ensemble continued to mesmerise with the Indian classical fusion piece “Garaj Garaj”, where tradition and modernity converged in symphonic harmony.
The choir’s rendition of the Punjabi folk song “Peer Manavan Chaliya”, with its refrain “Aar tanga, paar tanga vich talam taaliya”, evoked the chaos and confusion of the traumatic Partition of 1947. The anguish of separation found its most tender echo in the soulful “Sanu Sauda Ni Pugda”, a lament that conveyed the torment of loved ones left behind when not only borders, but even rivers, were cruelly divided.
The heart of the evening unfolded as a newsroom debate — “Migration: Crisis or Catalyst?”
The moderator and his 4 panellists debated the rhetoric of fear surrounding migration, weaving a narrative across centuries. Each argument was validated with heart-rending scenes that illuminated the seismic and epochal migrations- some chosen, some compelled.
The Magnum Opus unfolded as a sweeping chronicle of migration, each vignette and dance seamlessly woven into the script to form a living mosaic of history, culture, and resilience. The rapt audience first witnessed the tragic Cherokee displacement during the American Gold Rush, brought alive by Kindergarteners in the Cherokee Dance, their innocent steps echoing the sorrow of uprooted tribes. From there, the narrative moved to the Holocaust, where Class XI’s stirring dance on “Yeh Honsla” mirrored the angst of Jewish families torn apart under Nazi persecution, while the haunting strains of the Edelweiss from The Sound of Music saw Second Shift students sway and swirl to evoke fragile hope amidst devastation.
Partition’s anguish was embodied through Bishan Singh’s search for belonging in Toba Tek Singh, while the arrival of the Zoroastrians at Sanjan on Gujarat’s coast was retold through Class II’s graceful Parsi Dance, symbolising the parable of sugar in milk — cultures blending seamlessly, enriching the land. The dancers of classes VII and VIII embodied the vibrancy of Garba, their arms unfurling in sweeping arcs and their rhythm swirling with jubilant energy — a living echo of the joyous integration of traditions that migration inspires.
Further vignettes celebrated exchanges across continents. Classes III and IV depicted migration’s lyrical flow in “Panchi Nadiya”, while Class XII students staged the Cambodian Ramayan, tracing how stories travel and transform. The city of aspirations, Mumbai, came alive through Classes V and VI in “Yeh hai Bombay Meri Jaan”, while Class I electrified the stage with Freddie Mercury’s “We Are the Champions, and We Will Rock You” — a tribute to the migrant who became a global icon.
The pulse of modernity continued with Classes IX and X channelling Michael Jackson’s Black or White, reminding us that migration reshapes identities and communities beyond borders. Even the Nursery’s playful Vegetable Dance became a metaphor for foods and fruit carried across lands.
The evening soared towards its finale with Class XII swaying to “We Are The World, We Are The Children” and “ Chala jaata hoon apni dhun mein”.
The finale unfolded in a surreal glow as dancers in ghagras and translucent wings adorned with fairy lights led nearly 1,500 performers into a grand gathering, bringing the evening to its spellbinding culmination to the strains of “Musafir hoon yaaron, na ghar hai, na thekana” and a standing ovation by the ecstatic audience.
Principal Ms Tania Joshi, with warmth and grace, delivered the Vote of Thanks — extending heartfelt gratitude to Ms Madhavi Divan and Ms Brinda Goradia Shroff for their guidance and support; Scriptwriters Ms Sunita Singh and Ms Devaki Divan, for weaving the narrative with evocative detail; Vice principal Dr Anu Singh, Head Teacher Ms Vandana Tewari, Ms Sanjeeda Roy ( Headmistress Second-Shift), the PTA led by Ms Vishnupriya Rajakhonda; the music and dance team led by Ms Pooja Gangani, Ms Nidhi Khanna, and Mr Madhav, for their artistry and energy, the AV Team for their brilliant visuals and technical support, the stage management team under the able guidance of Ms Sahodra Pawaiya, for ensuring flawless execution, Mr Brijesh Kumar, for steadfast administrative support and the entire school staff — teaching, nonteaching, and housekeeping — whose collective efforts made the event a resounding success.
The Annual Day 2026 celebrations were not only a showcase of student talent but a living testament to how art and learning intertwine. For the parent community, the event became a source of immense pride and joy. Their postevent appreciation captured the inclusivity and learning spirit that defined the occasion: “A blockbuster show”; “It was like watching a concert”; “Quite emotional”. Among these voices, Mr Sachin Agarwal, parent of Trisha Aggarwal (Class 2C), summed up the collective sentiment in his email:
“The Annual Day was a wonderful experience, filled with positive energy, enthusiasm, and healthy learning. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed participating in the event and learned many valuable lessons, including teamwork, confidence, discipline, and the importance of working together. The dedication and coordination of the teachers, students, and all staff members made the celebration memorable and meaningful. Heartfelt appreciation to the entire school team for organising such a beautiful event and providing the children with an opportunity to learn, grow, and shine beyond the classroom.”
This reflection, echoed by countless others, stands as a testament to the collective pride and gratitude of parents — affirming that the Annual Day was not merely a performance, but a meaningful platform for growth, collaboration, and shared celebration.
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