Mizaru, Kikazaru, Iwazaru… The Journey of a soul!

January 19 - 24, 2015

Sitting in front of the television and watching the advertisement of Vibrant Gujarat often made me wonder what was so vibrant about the state. Every state in India is representa

tive of its own diverse culture and tradition.

But a study tour with our Foundation batch students changed my perspective of the state forever. Seldom have I come across a state so rooted in its tradition yet so modern in its outlook. 

A visit to the iconic National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, conceptualised by two great American Designers of the time, Charles and Ray Eames, set the pace of our trip. As we navigated the numerous alleys of the institute, we got a glimpse of young Indian designers at work. Needless to say, the flow of creativity oozing out from the corridors and classrooms of the NID mesmerised our own group of enthusiastic middle school students. If NID was an epitome of modern India, the pols of old Ahmedabad bore testimony to a rich cultural heritage moulded by a constant influx of people who settled in the city through the ages.

Our tryst with modernisation continued as we traversed through the roads of Ahmedabad. It was a treat for all of us to see the BRTS (Bus Rapid Transport System) so effectively being used in an Indian city. Technological advancement was also reflected in Asia’s largest Solar Power Park ‘Charanka’, which is expected to generate 600 KW of power in the near future.

Dholavira….a settlement from the ancient Harrapan civilization gave us a glimpse of the glorious past of Gujarat. The students were given a guided tour of the complex system of water storage, roads in grid patterns and a unique system of drainage so quintessential of the great civilization. If Dholavira satiated our thirst for History, lo and behold, the Great White Rann was a geologic masterpiece! Miles and miles of crystalline salt crunching under the feet was an experience our students will not forget in the years to come.

A truly vibrant moment for us came when we got an opportunity to discover the varied forms of traditional art and handicrafts of Gujarat. From the making of the Patola to the dyeing and printing of Ajrak, from the oil dipped Rogan art to the metallurgical spectacle of the copper bells, our students explored them all with much zeal and appreciation. The students were also exposed to the technique of salt cultivation and much enjoyed the company of the migratory pink pelicans and the Wild Asses in the Little Rann.

On the banks of river Sabarmati, in Ahmedabad, is the abode of India’s most loved citizen, the father of our Nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The walls of the Sabarmati Ashram reverated with the Ghandhiji’s eternal quest for truth and his ideology of non- violence which gave India its independence.

Mizaru, Kikazaru, Iwazaru………translated from Japanese as see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil resonated in our hearts as we left the portals of Gandhi Ashram.

Harsh climatic conditions and natural disasters have not dampened the spirits of the people of Guajart many of whom have migrated from far and wide and have craved out their own identity in state. Gujarat owes its vibrancy to its people who are proud of their rich heritage and are rooted in their culture even in this age of mechanization.

Geographical insight into Bengaluru!!

Friday, January 16, 2015

Field trips are an essential component for students to learn beyond the classroom and experience the interconnectedness of learning. The Grade 2 students are inquiring to understand 'how the geography of a place provides an insight into its history and the people that live there. To make the learning purposeful students went on a field trip around Bengaluru to understand the geography and history of the place they live in.

Our students went through a time travel machine, taking them way back to 1537, to the era of Kempe Gowda, the city's founder who planned his township around lakes. Standing on the bridge at Kempambudhi Lake at Gavipuram, students were enlightened with the odyssey of lakes, - Why Bengaluru is called the city of Lakes? The students being “Inquirers” questioned, “How / why did Kempegowda make so many lakes?” To find this the students walked to different heights at Gavipuram to see how the terrain is hilly, up and down and the valley formed is dammed to build lakes. They share that most of Bengaluru is hilly lending itself to building lakes. Right through the ages, Haider Ali, Tipu Sultan, the Wodeyars and the Britishers recognised this simple fact and accorded high importance to the preservation of the city's lakes. But in present day most lakes are being replaced by concrete jungle which effects the environment of the city.

The students travelling through time move into 1760, and headed toward Tipu Sultan’s Armoury passing by the Bangalore Fort to gather information on Tipu Sultan, a great ruler of Bengaluru. At this point the students asked, “Tipu build his summer palace in Bangalore because it is cooler than Srirangapatnam. But, why is Bengaluru cooler?” At this point our guides introduced the word “Plateau” and shared how the altitude of Bengaluru and the geographical condition makes it a cool and pleasant city. This has left our enthusiastic students wanting to know more about plateau and the climatic conditions of Bengaluru.

The last stop was at Holy Trinity Church, the time travel machine took the students further into 1850, the British era in Bengaluru. It was shared through maps and stories how the British extended the city further and built the cantonment. Most of the building was built in the Greco Roman style. The roads and building were named after the British army or their Officers. The British also preferred Bangalore to Mysore because of its weather.

This field trip was a great experience to understand where they are in place and time. It also helped them to make connection to the different time and how the time has brought about the changes in the place they live in. Moreover the field trip has left our 'Inquirers' curious and wanting to know more about the geography and the history of the place they live.

Historical Tour of Bangalore City

Thursday January 15, 2015

It was the morning of January 15^th, Thursday when students of Grade 2A gathered at Neev, KM with much enthusiasm to learn about the history of Bengaluru. We boarded the bus at 7.30 a.m. and reached Gavipuram at 8.00 a.m. Learning began at Kempambudhi Lake at Gavipuram where the founder of Bengaluru, Kempe Gowda created a man-made lake. Our guide took us through the whole history of the city with slides and stories that made the field-trip interesting. The students also went up to one of Kempe Gowda’s watch tower situated at the top of some rocks. We then headed to Tipu Sultan’s Armoury instead of the Bangalore Fort which had new information to gather on how Tipu Sultan had armories built in many places to store his weapons for battles. The last stop was at Holy Trinity Church, the second church that the British built in Bengaluru.

A large amount of Historical Empathy was observed in students during the field-trip. The history tour around Bengaluru exposed children to diversity of ideas, people, places and time periods. The broadening experience imparted greater appreciation and understanding. Students could appreciate what life was like for people who lived in a different place and time. This trip provided students with a clearer perspective about their own place and time. Students connected well into why people depend on, adapt to, are affected by, and change the natural environment. The physical landscape and human presence was modified to form an interaction between the two. This was evident at the Kempambudhi Lake.

The field-trip connected well with the Central Idea and the key concepts. It also enhanced their critical thinking skills and the whole big idea of the connection between history and geography.

Graffiti that kids made on Bangalore history after their visit

Core Neevotsav 2014 rehearsals

After going through unseasonal rains at the Encore Neevotsav  - even though the team (adults and kids) adapted beautifully to the last minute additions of roofs, light changes, and much else - this time we're all prepared to take on the rain – and it looks like we're not going to have any..Well, good thing to have all those adaptive challenges with the older ones!

Many weeks of intense practise, memorizing lines, dance steps, and much else -  bring us to the final rehearsals which are such a joy to watch – the beauty of children's voices in song, their innocent expressions of joy, their exuberant dances - all revealing the secrets of happiness on earth, facing fears that the sun may die, and understanding the winter solstice. Last night, our grades 1 & 2,  with the first technical rehearsal were more fascinated by all the equipment around – make–up, light, sound, mikes! What could be more exciting?! The first technical rehearsal run through was more or less smooth. 

Tonight is our last practise. Wishing for continued good weather, encouraging our little ones for a great culmination of their 4th unit – on 'how we express ourselves' -  with displays of creative art expressions for grades 1 & 2  -  Core Neevotsav 2014.

Final rehearsal before Encore Neevotsav 2014

Last night was the final rehearsal. Kids completing their reflections, newsletters, presentations – teachers lining up the final displays. And of course it rained again, but we were better prepared! The nightmare of all this waterproofing – we can't wait to be on campus for Neevotsav 2015. The weather picked up beautifully after the light rain - the cool evening ended with tired but happy kids – having completed their final rehearsal, technical adjustments and Neevotsav reflections.

Show time tonight. Wishing kids and teachers all the best!

Run-up to Encore Neevotsav 2014

With much hard work – memorizing, dancing, and laughter – kids at encore lead up to Neevotsav 2014. Journeys of many kinds!

Grade 3's with the land of hattamala, two brothers-in-arms – kena & bacha - escaping to a land where people know not the concept of money, treat fights as the 'hattamala game', share all they have, and co-exist with song, dance and laughter. The grade 3's charm everyone with their song, dance, and expressions.

Grade 4 & 5 with the phantasmogorical journey to recognise the value of time, which waits for no man, and must be used fruitfully, recognizing that numbers and words...are the weave and woof of the fabric of life…which is about balancing all the forces in your life and moving forward towards a goal, without distractions always. 

Foundation batch with the journey of a hero -  enacting Homers Odyssey in 'Ensemble' style, recognizing that being a hero isn't all trumpets and flag waving…winning battles and great glory…its about giving people good cheer when afraid..its about making the choice..right choice! Its about fighting hardships and distractions and reaching your goal. Reaching Ithaca.

With all the excellence being achieve by the children, we didn't need luck, but did need blessings to move forward - The clouds opened up and the heavens rained down on the first dress rehearsal – quite literally. Moving half the rehearsal indoors to start with, our grand little actors and actresses were unperturbed and the show did go on. We're hoping for better weather today, our second rehearsal, before show-night.

An exciting semi-final and final match between Grade 2A & Grade 2B

Wednesday November 19, 2014

Report written by the students of Grade 2A

We had our football tournament - both semi-finals and finals in Whitefield, Inner Circle Ground. The Semi-finals was played between two teams of 2A and 2B. This game was played between 11.30 to 12.15 pm. It was a game where everyone wanted to hit a goal, and was ready to block each other and tackle the ball with a hope to go the finals.

So the game started with the players gathering energy and ready to play against the opponent. If was first a semi-finals between two teams of 2A first and then two teams of 2B. The match between the 2A teams was a tie when Vidur and Arav scored two goals in the penalty shootout and went to the finals against a team in 2B.

The two teams in the finals came to the ground with a lot of excitement. Neel Roy (2B) played a brilliant game when Aniket passed the ball to Neel and he tackled the ball and hit the first goal. Vidur (2A) ran to defend Neel and tackled the ball all the way to the goal post and scored one goal. It was an amazing goal by Vidur, but Neel’s team got serious about the game and he took the ball to the center-start. He then scored another goal which led the 2B to WIN the tournament!

The players put in their best effort and showed team work. It was great fun!