Posted by Sukanya & Sumesha, Middle School

Isha Home School students participated in the Salim Ali Trophy Nature Competitions 2010, held at GD Matriculation Higher Secondary School, near Collectorate.

This program was organised by SACON- Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History. Usually the competitions are about nature or environmental related themes. Some of the competitions held were painting, poetry, story writing, spot the bird, elocution and other similar activities.

The SACON competitions are mostly held to create awareness of the environment in children. This year almost 2000 children from schools all over Coimbatore district participated. Out of this only about 120 children won prizes. Each year the school with the most points gets the rolling trophy.

A few Juniors, Seniors and Middle School students from the Isha Home School participated this year.

The IHS students who won the prizes for Middle School category are:

Arianth – Bird Watching - 2^nd place

Srila S - Story writing - 1^st place

Sanjana Story – writing - 2^nd place

Naren -  Story writing - 3^rd place

Prizes for Senior School category are:

Govardhen - English elocution - 2^nd place

Abhinand - English elocution - 3^rd place

Rajendran - English elocution - 3^rd place

Posted by Garghi & Kiran Saravanan, Middle School

The first batch of 10^th standard students at Isha Home School started writing their ICSE Board Exams on the third of March 2010. The exams will go on for 28 days and are spread throughout the month of March. This is the first batch of senior students of Isha Home School who write their ICSE Board exams. The students feel nervous about writing their first exams but the preparation for the model exams has helped them feel more confident.

The 10 Standard students study by themselves or with the help of the teacher. When they get a break they play” hide and seek” or they take rest. Overall they study 80 per cent of the day and they are expected to score approximately 80 per cent in their exams. “It feels just like our model exams.” Says Prem, a 10 Standard student. Another student Rangarajan shares, “ For those who start sweating when they hear the word “exam” uttered , I say : Fear it not!”

The word exam is often synonymous with tension, fear and anxiety. The students have been preparing for their exams since the last one year and a half. The teachers and staff have been of immense help in reducing the anxiety levels in the children and in making them feel more confident when facing the exams. One student shared, “I was initially nervous about the exam since it is an important one. However, after I finished my first exam, I felt more confident and calm. I realised exams were nothing to be worried about. You just prepare well and do your best.”

Posted by Srila & Umesh, Middle School

On the 7^th of March, the students of Middle School were crestfallen to bid farewell to their dear teacher Lucy akka, who went back to England. She had worked with the Middle School for the past 3 years, and the English department for the past year. She went back to England to pursue further studies in Project Management.

She wants to study Project Management because she wants to start an orphanage or another non-profit organisation on her own. She was influenced by Isha to start an NGO.

Before she went to England, she went to Bangkok and Australia. She went to Bangkok to get her Australian work visa and went to Australia to visit her relatives, whom she has not seen in a long time. She will be in Australia for two months, before her school starts.

The students miss her a lot because she was cheerful and a very hard working teacher. Even the teachers felt that she was very supportive. “I felt that when she left it was like the campus was not going to be the same,” says Nicky, one of Lucy Akka’s students.

“She always finished her work on time and was very helpful,” says Samia akka, one of her friends in the English department.

During the last 10 minutes of one of the English classes, the students had a small farewell party for Lucy akka. The students made her a card, which she was very happy to receive. The party took place in the IHS ampitheatre, where the students talked with Lucy akka and shared a few things they liked about her. The delicious part was that everyone enjoyed Payasam*, Lucy akka’s favorite sweet.

*Payasam is a sweet tasting South Indian delicacy made with milk and rice.

Posted by Naren & Hari Prasad, Middle School

This year in Isha Home School, many students talented in sports participated in district, state and national level competitions representing the school. All the students put in their best efforts to fetch many medals for the school.

One of the team sport events the students participated in was the district level football match. The IHS team, with Siddharth as captain and Hari Haran as vice- captain, easily won the first match with a score of 3-0 where Ananth scored one goal and Varun Mathur scored two goals. The second match, however, was tough and a little more challenging and the team lost in the last 11 minutes when the other team scored. The match ended with the score 0-1.The team was sportive though, and claimed that the second match was a lot better.” They just didn’t show their fullest potential today.” Marimuthu anna, their football coach said. “They do not have the experience yet. This is an excellent exposure and opportunity for them to learn.”

Another major event was the athletic meet. They performed very well and overall won one bronze, three silver and three gold medals and two individual championship awards. Raja anna, the athletic teacher says, “Instead of focussing on what you excelled in, you have to focus on what you didn’t do well in, so you can work on your mistakes.” “I will give my 200 percent if the students give their 100 percent.” he says. One of the junior student Danush who went to the meet says, “So, this year many students participated in the competitions and won many medals proving Isha Home School as one of the best school in sports.”

Posted by Sarika Shah and Nidhi Williams, Middle School

On the eve of Holi the students of Isha Home School were seated around a brilliant bonfire. The Holi festivities began with two fascinating mythical stories told by Shobha Viswanathan, a professional story teller and Director of Karadi Tales. These activities went on for an hour and culminated by offering the dhani prasad as an offering into the fire, a symbolic gesture to rid those who make the offering of ill feelings such as anger, hatred and envy.

The significance behind Holi is believed to be, as the legend says, that Hiranyakashap wanted everyone across the three worlds to worship him and not the other gods. His son Prahalad was a devotee of Vishnu.This angered Hiranyakashyap, so he made various plots to kill Prahalad none of which worked. Finally, he told his sister Holika to kill Prahalad as she had a boon to withstand fire. Prahalad was chanting Vishnu’s name and he did not get burnt while Holika was burnt to ashes in the fire.

The legend behind the colour play during Holi started by Radha and Krishna. Krishna applied colour on Radha and the other gopis and this prank later became a trend and now is a part of Holi.

“ Holi is a day of color and auspicious offerings” says Keerthana a Middle School student. Another student, Yogeeswari remarks, “ Compared to last year, this year’s Holi was awesome”.

Posted by Arianth Tejas & Sartaj Singh, Middle School

On the 28^th of February, on Pournami, about 400 people witnessed a procession dedicated to the Devi in front of the world’s largest metal Nandhi at Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore, India. The procession, which takes place every month, is for the Devi to give her offerings to the Dhyanalinga.

The participants of the procession were men, many of whom were from  Isha Home School. Leading the procession was Sumesh anna, the Kalarippayattu teacher of Isha Home School and two others. The other participants held red banners, fire sticks and the Uthsav Murthi, the minature idol of the Linga Bhairavi. The Uthsav Murthi is carried in a pallak by five swamis. The pallak is made of brass.

“You need to give your full focus to every moment, whether you are carrying the Uthsav Murthi, a flag, a spear or fire. Concentration and practice is the key to doing it successfully,” Siva anna said.

The Uthsav Murthi, made by a world famous Indian artist, Satish Gupta, is made  from brass, mercury and copper. It is carried from the Devi temple, around the Dhyanalinga and to the Nandhi for the Aarti. After the procession ends, she is taken back to the Devi temple.

There were many indian instruments played in the procession, which included the conch, Tothari and Kolh bells.

The Aarti, the main part of the procession, was done by twelve swamis. They wore panchakathams, garlands made of Birla leaves, and a piece of red cloth around their waists.

“Red is the colour of the Devi and she represents prosperity and warmth,” shared Swami Ekapada, one of the participants in the Aarti.

They also used Aarti sticks and an instrument called the Brahma Tallam. The swamis practiced for ten days, six hours every day.

Swami Ekapada added, “There was a two week process of learning the Aarti dance. It was quite exciting and exhausting. I was never part of a dance and now I am in a sacred dance.”

Most of the people were excited and delighted to see such a thing in their lives.

“It was wonderful to see the procession again, and as before, it was as grand and extravagant, “said Archana akka, a teacher from Isha Home School.

Posted by Anahita, Class IX

I paused for a second; the ball in my hands. My practice partner gaped at the sky as well, as the delicately golden sun rose above the trees in the horizon. I turned to face the hills and sighed. Their graceful forms were gently washed by the sun’s early rays. What a way to start the day!

This school, Isha Home School, is definitely different, and the people here play a big role in making this place unique. I have found that the people here are a lot more aware than other people I’ve seen that they carry themselves with humility. My friends here are like that as well, and when I go back for the holidays, I feel people seem to be so strangely different. In short, the holidays make me miss school.

At Home School you practically get to LIVE with your friends, and they’re always there whether you like it or not!

The connection between a student and teacher extends beyond the archetypical relationship, as the teachers here are mentors, guides and family. Here I can meet a teacher outside class and have a comfortable talk with them, something I wasn’t able to do in my previous school.

Posted by Mohana Murali & Sridevi, Middle School

Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ was screened for the students in the AV room of Isha Home School on the 27^th of February. When Utkarsh anna saw the film in Bombay he knew that the students would love it and had to see it. This movie was a review of the King of Pop’s albums and his last dress rehearsal before his big performance.

‘This Is It’ was not supposed to be a movie. It was a recording for Michael Jackson’s personal DVD collection. Michael Jackson passed away 19 days before his performance. To pay tribute to the King of Pop, Kenny Ortega, the director of High School Musical and ‘This Is It’, decided to make the recording of his performance into a movie. It was also a homage to his fans. “This performance is amazing! I wish it happened in real life,” said Utkarsh anna.

He went on to say, “Though we are not at a level to judge Michael Jackson’s rehearsals, the fact that this rehearsal could create a movie which is doing a business of millions shows how perfect his rehearsals were.”

This movie shows how much hard work goes into creating a concert. The audience gets a glimpse of the progression a musican goes through before having a final product.

In his concert, Michael Jackson said, “This world is in such a bad condition. Now at least I hope people help change the world. Help us Heal the World.” 

Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ was screened for the students in the AV room of Isha Home School on the 27^th of February. When Utkarsh anna saw the film in Bombay he knew that the students would love it and had to see it. This movie was a review of the King of Pop’s albums and his last dress rehearsal before his big performance.

‘This Is It’ was not supposed to be a movie. It was a recording for Michael Jackson’s personal DVD collection. Michael Jackson passed away 19 days before his performance. To pay tribute to the King of Pop, Kenny Ortega, the director of High School Musical and ‘This Is It’, decided to make the recording of his performance into a movie. It was also a homage to his fans. “This performance is amazing! I wish it happened in real life,” said Utkarsh anna.

He went on to say, “Though we are not at a level to judge Michael Jackson’s rehearsals, the fact that this rehearsal could create a movie which is doing a business of millions shows how perfect his rehearsals were.”

This movie shows how much hard work goes into creating a concert. The audience gets a glimpse of the progression a musican goes through before having a final product.

In his concert, Michael Jackson said, “This world is in such a bad condition. Now at least I hope people help change the world. Help us Heal the World.”

Posted by Pooja Umayal, Middle School

Posted by Govinda Saroj & Prashanth, Middle School

In Isha Home School on the 26^th of February, the Kalari students and their master presented a Kalari performance. The students had worked and practised for ten days with fire-sticks and other weapons to display the intensity and subtlety of Kalaripayattu.

Kalari is the father of all martial arts. It is believed that Lord Shiva was the first kalari guru in the whole world. It originates from Kerala, a southern Indian state. As by legend Kalari was the main skill learnt by early humans. This is because food comes before entertainment, and Kalari was used to kill animals in order to get food.

The students performed various movements from Kalari such as “meypettus”, which is similar to Katas on Karate. There are also two different types of “Chaudugal”: Vatta Chavadu is when you perform fighting steps while keeping one leg fixed on a spot. Perukal Chavudu is when you do the steps while moving in an “x” formation.

One of the lead performing students, Prem exclaimed, “I could sense some tension within me but still I felt very confident and it was a success, I guess.” Middle School spectator Ananth shared that” It was the biggest success and performance in the history of IHS.”

The students always salute the gods and get the blessings of their Guru before practising Kalari. Even though it is an art taught in school, very few people practice the original art form in Kerala. This is a matter of concern and Sumesh anna, the Kalari teacher at IHS says, “ I am really concerned about the art form disappearing and I wish some of my students go on to learn more and become Kalari teachers in future.”