Anandam Grades V & VI, 14 February 2020
Anandam (2019-20) – Grades 5 and 6
The yearlong odyssey of Grades 5 and 6 students’ learning in the field of AHA Arts culminated on 14 February ,2020 through ‘Anandam’.
AHA Visual Arts students explored water based mediums, acrylic on canvas, painting glass surfaces with reverse painting technique and used paper craft and mixed media like wool, thread and paint to create artwork. Students also learned pulp-making and paper making, and created textured paper using a starch coating. It was a delight to see the polygonal patterns and shapes in two dimensions to create pieces of art.
In sculpture making, students used wire sculpture to understand the importance of armature and explored clay modelling, paper casting both relief, standing sculpture and using foil paper as a medium. Most of the relief sculptures were based on animal studies, which helped them to enhance their understanding of animal anatomies.
The AHA Instrumental music students performed an arrangement in Raga 'Yaman', presented a melody called 'Waltz in A minor' by Frederic Chopin and an orchestra piece 'Santorini' taken from Yanni's album 'Live at Acropolis. The Western Vocals students presented the songs ‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman, ‘Believer’ by Imagine Dragons and ‘Don't Give Up on Me’ by Andy Grammar. Students in Hindustani Classical Vocals showcased their talent by presenting Raga Kedar.
The AHA Odissi students presented a mythical story ‘Mahakaali Mangalacharan’ through a splendid performance. Chhau students showcased the concept of Abhyaas highlighting how a soldier uses body line and movements and the correct technique to spin in the air while taking high jumps. The Bharatanatyam students showcased various adavus and identified the process of combining the adavus with music and rhythm while coordinating with movements of different body parts. Students also showcased their journey through a presentation titled Shivoham. Kathak students explored a major aspect of Classical Dance called ‘Jugalbandi’ which is a medium of conversation in the form of questions and answers between dancers, musicians and also the audience.
In the Theatre play ‘Kaamchor’, students used satire to bring out the idea of being a kaamchor depicting with the help of examples from their own lives in order to build an association with the form and idea. A Street Theatre ‘What is a Good Day to Save the Earth?’ was presented to understand and investigate climate emergency as it exists today. The play also traces the difficult journey of the environmental activist Greta Thunberg and her fight against the people/ institutions responsible for the plight of billions. The Comedy play ‘A City of Heroes’ highlighted a series of vignettes that sheds light upon the multiple questions revolving around the term ‘Superhero’. Students picked up characters from a fictional world who face conflicts that are valid in our real lives. ‘Dog-napped’ was an adventure play that showcased the team’s attempts to play with the basic elements of adventure/ mystery fiction. One could see clearly students’ understanding of different elements of the genre through the play.
