LiFe 2014 - A LITERARY FEST with the theme- Of Human Bondage

The most important lesson that man can learn from his life is not that there is pain in this world, but that it depends upon him to turn into good account, that it is possible for him to transmute it into joy.

On 7 August, 2014, 9 students of classes XI & XII represented our School at an inter-school competition LiFe 2014 ( a literary fest) organised by Tagore International School ( Vasant Vihar). The students were accompanied by Ms. Vandana Misra. The event revolved around the theme Of Human Bondage and was organised in stages for the sub-themes as mentioned below.

VERS-E-TILE Innovative Poetry Recitation

1. Avni Bhatia (XI)

2. Luvditya Khurana (XII)

SPOTLITE Group Enactment

1. Jhanve Gupta (XI)

2. Gursimar Kaur (XI)

3. Varun Singh (XI)

4. Padamchitt Saxena (XII)

5. Sabhyata Gautum (XII)

COLLART Collage Making

1. Isha Bansal (XI)

2. Garvit Kala (XII)

The judges for the event were:

1. Mrs. Neetu Kumar ELT, Oxford Press

2. Mr. Dilip Shankar Theatre Enthusiast, Casting Director BBC India, Script Writer- Zangoora

3. Mr. Anchit Nayyar

4. Ms. Soumya Mukherjee Senior Assistant Editor, Times Of India and

5. Ms. Madhuri Belodi Co founder - KAVI, associated with Dainik Jagaran

Quoting Guru Rabindranath Tagore, The progress of our soul is like a perfect poem. It has an infinite idea which once realised makes all movements full of meaning and joy.

VERS-E-TILE was an innovative poetry recitation competition where the selected English poem had to relate to the theme and be selected from any genre/ period of English Literature.

Avni Bhatia, XI recited the poem And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou.The poem focused on a determination to rise above every difficulty and discouragement. Th e poet speaks for her race and emphasises the strength and resilience of her community. Luvditya Khurana, XII expressed the poets sentiments in a combination of contemporary dance and acting. He showcased the injustice faced by the Blacks, and yet, their determination to rising above all discriminations.

Existence is a perpetual surprise which is life.- Gurudev.

SPOTLITE was a group enactment on a selected piece/ extract from any genre/ period of the English language. 5 students of our School enacted an extract from the play Thirst by Eugene O'Neill which is called the first flirtation with expressionism. Though highly melodramatic, it is a metaphor for the human condition, playing out a miserable existence with a certain end. Our students interpreted the theme very well. Padamchitt Saxena, XII added a soothing background score to the enactment.

What is Art? It is the response of mans creative soul to the call of the real. Gurudev.

COLLART was a collage-making competition wherein the topic was Of human bondage. It was provided on the spot. Garvit Kala, XII and Isha Bansal, XI represented our School. The topic given to them was the depiction of Art in real life bringing out human bondage.

The students set about their creative minds and quickly created a beautiful composition of a dove captured in a human cage wanting to let itself free, indicative of the victim of racism.

Indeed the event was not just one of fun, but a learning experience of creativity, delivery, expression and introspection. Over 36 schools participated in the event and presented wonderful performances in their respective sub-events.

Reported by Luvditya Khurana, XII.