26-Jun: Senior students of class 11 & 12 and art students of class 9 had the opportunity to interact with Shri Satish Gupta, a versatile artist – a painter, sculptor, poet, writer, printmaker, skilled draftsman, muralist, designer, calligrapher and ceramicist all in one. Winning the Sanskriti award at an early stage in his career, his work, honed through a deep engagement with mysticism and Zen spirit, has been exhibited in more than 33 solo shows at important art galleries within the country and abroad. His works include a 13 feet high Surya sculpture in copper exhibited at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, a monumental five piece metal sculpture inspired by the five elements located in the atrium at the Jindal Centre in New Delhi, a 30 feet mural at the Bengaluru International Airport, and the Utsav Murti of the Goddess Linga Bhairavi which resides in the Devi Temple of the Isha Yoga Centre. He spoke about his evolution as an artist, shared specific works and the techniques and processes that he used, and ended the session with an interactive Q & A.
4-Jul: IHS was treated to a lec-dem/ concert on the History of Carnatic Music by the Karnatic Music Forum, Chennai Chapter. The lec-dem was led by the convener of the Music Forum, Kalaimamani Dr. S Sunder, a multi-faceted personality – a practicing doctor, a performing musician, and a television anchor. Accompanying him were Shri V. V. Ravi on the violin, Shri Babu on the mridangam, Shri Rajagopal on the kanjira, and vocalist Ms. Keerthana.
In its mission to promote Carnatic music across generations, the forum has undertaken several initiatives, one of which is visiting schools to introduce and explore the nuances of Carnatic music. The lec-con which spread over roughly two hours was a sort of amalgam of a concert and a lec-dem, and took the audience on a musical journey from the time of the vedas to present-day. In tracking the evolution of what started as pan-Indian musical form, the audience participated in a musical conversation in which they were introduced to eminent composers and were treated to several forms / examples of Carnatic music including divya prabandham, thevaram, ashtapadi, padams, varnams, kritis and keerthana.
Dr. Sunder also gifted the school a copy of his book ‘FAQs in Carnatic Music’.
Eid Mubarak! عيد مبارك On the 26th of June, in commemoration of the auspicious day of Eid Ul-Fitr, IHS came together for a special assembly and evening meal. Teachers and a few visiting alumni presented a skit on the significance of Ramadan along with two songs, renditions of ‘Bismillah’ from Salim – Sulaiman and the Qawwali ‘Allah Hoo Allah Hoo’ by the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. In the evening, all were treated to a mouth-watering meal, featuring sevvaiya kheer, biryani and boondi raita, paratha and korma, and tandoori paneer tikka.
24-Jun: Interested students were given the opportunity to attend the 18th Anniversary Dhyanalinga Consecration celebrations held at the Isha Yoga Center. The program featured traditional chants from various cultures and religions. A special assembly was held, during which time volunteers and residents from the ashram presented Sufi and Christian chants. Students also learned about the symbols inscribed on the Sarva Dharma Sthambha, the pillar located at the front entrance, which functions as an icon of singularity and universal welcome.
21-Jun: अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस मुबारक! (Antarāṣṭrīya Yog Divas Mubaarak!) On the occasion of International Day of Yoga, IHS participated in the Isha Foundation’s IDY celebrations in the presence of Adiyogi at Isha Yoga Center. All assembled in the early morning hours against the backdrop of the magnificent Velliangiri foothills. The assemblage consisted of students from various schools, members of the Border Security Force and other guests and residents of the Isha Yoga Center. Sadhguru, the Guest of Honour, the Honourable Union Minister of State (IC), Tourism & Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma, and the Chief Guest, the Honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao addressed the gathering. After the lighting of the Yoga Yagna, volunteers from the Isha Yoga Center taught simple yogic practices, namely Yoga Namaskar and Nadi Shuddhi.
