Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH —  The ethos of Saudi-India historic ties and cultural affinities, well demonstrated in a cultural and artistic performance staged by Indian students, enthralled the dignitaries from both the countries who responded with a round of applause to the thematic and diverse show by the schoolgirls.

 

It was the students from International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) and Al-Falah International School (DPS Jeddah) who staged spectacular artistic performances, depicting the rich and diverse tradition and culture of India as well as the strong and deep-rooted relations between the two countries.

 

The cultural show started in the most traditional manner with a classical dance form of Bharatanatyam by IISJ students. It symbolized the theme that each state in India has its own distinctive cultures, languages and traditions and all these diversities have been interwoven into unity. It offered visual design, vibrant music, and dynamic choreography woven within the graceful movement of the eyes, rhythmic footwork, combined with fine movements of the hand gestures and ultimately culminating in picturesque poses.

 

Students of DPS stole the show with a marvelous visual treat, with a musical program depicting the strong bonds that bind the Kingdom and India through centuries. They staged popular Arab dance forms, highlighting the growing relevance of the exchange of India and Saudi cultural contacts and rekindling the spirit of patriotic fervor that culminated with demonstration of waving flags of Saudi Arabia and India.

 

In the Saudi dance, choreographed by DPS teachers Manaal, Mozhaerah, Vandana and Jaspreet, tiny tots wearing colorful jalabiyas, danced to the tunes of Ya dar and Ya sariya and Saare jahan se achcha. The dance started with the Saudi dance and ended with the students dressed in Indian costumes joining in and both waving the flags of the two nations.

 

The DPS student’s program titled “Colors of India” featured diverse colors of states joining on the point of unity. The dances, based on the concept of unity with uniformity and diversity without fragmentation, were received with a round applause by the audience. 

 

India is a land where culture echoes, tradition speaks, beauty enthralls and diversity delights, and this was shown in a medley of dances from the states of West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Students wearing beautiful salwar kameez and ghaghra danced to some catchy folk and Bollywood songs and kept the audience mesmerized. Vandana and Jaspreet choreographed the dances.

 

The musical program, staged by IISJ students and choreographed by Pushpa Suresh, was another major highlight of the cultural show. It was based on the Clean India Campaign, launched by Prime Minister Modi on Oct. 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of Nation. The program was a highly thought-provoking one that brings the idea home the dire need of protecting nature from the dangers that pose a potential threat to its very existence. The children marvelously depicted the idea that the five elements of Nature  (Prithvi- the stable earth, Jal- the sublime water, Agni- the blazing fire, Vayu- the powerful wind and Shunya- the infinite space) are shaking, and it is heart breaking for each Indian to see these elements are being destroyed.

 

The performance highlighted that greenery in earth is drying up and dying slowly, clean water is submerged in trash and polluted, fire now radiates burning heat, soothing gentle breeze is choked heavily with smoke, smog and dust, and the vast infinite space was shattered with noise of war and destruction. 

 

The show drew to a close with a call to  clean the space, the wind, the water, the fire and the earth so that the great Indian Subcontinent can be revived to its past glory and fame.

 

The efforts of IISJ Principal Syed Masood Ahmed, Vice Principal (Girls Section) Farhatunnisa, teacher Pushpa Suresh, DPS Chairman Zia Al Nadwi and Academic Director Humaira Naseem as well as participants and teachers were greatly appreciated by the audience and the Consulate officials. 

 

Fathima Thanseeha of Class 12 of IISJ was the master of ceremonies and she impressed the audience with her eloquence in English and Arabic, while the floral decoration of the venue was done by IISJ teachers.