A couple of weeks back Vidur’s school celebrated annual day, as usual. Of course, Sury and I accompanied him not just to enjoy the cultural program, which is great, but also for a special reason. All the students who excelled in grade 10 were being awarded on stage. And catch us missing that moment.
So anyway, equally enthralling for me was to walk around and enjoy the behind the scenes happenings – watching the children get dressed for their various stage events. I just love doing this. I find it cute to see them all preening, fully made up or waiting in line for the makeup man to apply that coveted lipstick and blusher.
I also felt a tinge of sadness – that Vidur only has another year of school. I would miss all this. I got nostalgic about all the years from grade 1 till date. Staying back after school for weeks before the event. Missing classes, catching up. Arriving at the school several hours before the event on D day for practice and dressing up. And waiting another couple of hours for their turn.
Then my mind wandered, reliving various events at the school, especially Children’s day when they would have the Fancy dress competition. Vidur got prizes for three years consecutively. Those were the days! How quickly life moves ahead!
I still tear up when I see the little ones on stage, happily going out of step but enjoying themselves while their parents try to get a good pic from the edge of the stage. This year I missed being an unofficial photographer – each year I’d get pics and then seek out the parents get their emails and send their pictures to them. This year, I only clicked photos of Vidur and his classmates receiving their award on stage.
Precious life!
My heart felt about to burst as I watched students I’ve known from Class 1, who are now in Class 12 – host the show in pairs – one speaking fluently in English, while the other complemented the commentary in Hindi. Then there were announcers in Sanskrit. That’s the greatest thing about Kendriya Vidyalaya – aka Central School. Most of the children are fluent in the local language, which in our case is Kannada, their mother tongue, Hindi, English and Sanskrit.
Sigh.
Here are this year’s photos – scenes I’ll cherish forever, together with the memories. So here are some of my…
Life’s priceless bookmarks
These third graders are busy tiring themselves out practicing, trying to keep those over-sized gloves on, and keeping on even when the headbands are over their foreheads, blocking their vision. So sincere. So cheerful, no matter what.
How can one not love them? They were dancing to one of my all time favorite songs – Brown girl in the ring by BoneyM. Really! And when they performed on stage, I doubt if there was a single person in the audience whose feet weren’t moving!
Moms busy shepherding their little ones as they wait for their makeup. Quite eagerly!
And busy chatting. Loved the glitter. And love the little girl’s hair all scrunched up like that.
They certainly bloom where they’re planted! I admire them for their patience in waiting with those costumes on! See the peacocks? Ever seen prettier ones?
I love it when they pose, smiling shyly.
“Come,” said the Wind to the Leaves one day.
“Come over the meadow and we will play.
Put on your dresses of red and gold.
For summer is gone and the days grow cold.”
Nearby, another group of girls was dazzling in their dance costumes. Their hair accessories are so cute!
And another group. That BharatNatyam costume looks fabulous. See the girls in red.
Yet another group getting ready while their too-young-to-be-in-school siblings watch. The air was fragrant with the jasmine flowers.
The older girls. What a beautiful scene.
Sigh.
It was a memorable day in more ways than one.
How do you collect memories, dear friends?
I am linking with UnknownMami for Sundays In My City.
Have a happy week!
P.S. – January is officially registered as Self Love Month. Have you downloaded How Do I Love Me? Let Count the Ways by Daylle Deanna Schwartz?
What beautiful pictures! Their costumes are so colorful. ♥
Oh they were delightful to hang out with, Kathy! They have the magical power to take us along with us to their dreamworld. 🙂 I love eavesdropping on children’s conversations!
Thank you for commenting!
Hi Vidya
What a lot of lovely pictures. The costumes are so colorful and very elaborate. Our different cultures…in the US the kids would be in shoes, unless they were performing a hula dance.
Yes the time goes by so quickly and before you know it you will soon be back at school taking pictures of grand kids! It doesn’t seem that long ago when we were celebrating with a party for my daughter at her graduation. Now my granddaughter will soon be 21.
Glad you are taking lots of memories.
Mary
lovely pictures! Love the peacock feathers
The peacock feathers are amazing
Mollyxxx
Lovely set of pictures, candid shots of kids enjoying themselves do make for a lovely subject to shoot pictures of, don’t they? 🙂
I’ve never seen such amazing outfits and costumes at a school pageant. Lovely!!
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures Vidya! I just love when you share you slice of life in India with us. I wish I was there taking pictures beside you! I’m having one of those moments in a week when I go to a ceremony where Oliver is being honored as one of the students of the month. I’m so thrilled… as a mother and as a teacher. I’m lucky to have many of those moments since I have three boys!! 🙂
Thank you again!!
Lovely pics. Those concert days were so much fun.
colourful costumes and a colourful phase of life . I pull out old photos of my son’s school days , see and re-live each moment. H e is in Std X and another 3 months to go by.
I do that too, Kalpana! 🙂 And I love it!
I can almost hear the buzz of excited conversation – peeping from behind to catch a look at what’s going on and waiting with anxious expectation for their ‘item’ to go live! Sweet!
Loved the photos and behind the scene activity brought out so well in your words. Buzz buzz go the bees, till their task is done 🙂
Also made me think about how quickly my own girl was growing up. sometimes we want them to grow up and at others we want them to stay just the way they are. A mother’s dilemma 🙂
Love the costumes and also how you share your culture , warms my heart
Thanks for sharing, lovely pictures, looks that they had great fun!
Oh!! So colorful… School days were the best… How I miss those no worry days and on stage times 🙂
The costumes are breathtaking! I wish I was there to see that preciousness! xo
This post and the pictures made me do the time travel. I remember how keen and excited the children are on such functions, even if they have to be a tree on the stage. And the enthusiasm of the parents and siblings is so infectious. Lovely pics, all of them 🙂
Love your slices of life Vidya. Those pics are a delight. And the little girls in line holding hands, awww.
Ah! school days. I used to love to participate in events like these…all those memories rushed back. Lovely pictures!
The pix are adorable. These cute kids are such posers.
loved your take on memories, vidya!
What precious little ones. Enjoy them every moment! My oldest is now 22 and graduating college. This makes me remember those younger years! Thanks for sharing.
Hey Vidya,
Great to hear that you too are a kannadiga…And just like you, I also look forward for the annual function in my kids school. Yes, the children look fantastic and cute every time they dress up…And your pics reminded me of the last year’s annual day function….
Lots of love,
Aparna
This reminded me of how much I miss my school days… And the carefree times that came with it…
Loved the photographs!
Lovely, colourful memories!
School activities are fun to be a part of, both as a student and as a parent. Apart from the enthusiasm of the children, I’ve always been impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of the teachers.
Simply adorable. Priceless indeed!
Great pics. Those are really peacock feathers? Great costumes.
Oh congratulations on being number one commenter over at Unknown Mami.
Oh Vidya… you took me back to my school.
Everything is so different yet so familiar. Now that my brother too has finished school I have no excuses to keep going there every month. But we still gather for the annual day functions and make it a point to remind the school that we still remember it.
But what I miss the most is the excitement of being busy….coordinating was my favourite ask and I so miss the high that comes from being on stage and addressing an auditorium full of eager students and parents awaiting their child’s performance. It definitely is an out of the world experience… thank you for taking me back to those days 🙂
Pictures are the best way to keep your memories. And I’m upset that I didn’t have a camera to click some of the best moments of my life that went by quite early in life. Children always bring in a wave of joy in everyone’s life and with those colorful costumes and cheerful faces, they look prettier. Lovely pics! And congrats to Vidur and the proud parents. 🙂
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