The Great Indian Gombe Story - Annual Day - Grade 7 and 8
National Public School, Rajajinagar, organised a captivating annual day for Grade 7 and 8 students, moving from the ordinary with a unique theme. The entire spectacle revolved around the cultural significance of dolls in Indian traditions, particularly within the context of the Dussera festival, where dolls are adorned and arranged on steps.
Dubbed "The Great India Gombe Story," the event unfolded with toys from the attic of an Indian home in London springing to life, narrating enchanting tales through a harmonious blend of dance and song. These narratives weaved through cultural boundaries, showcasing rich traditions worldwide, all brought to life by the students embodying charming dolls.
In keeping with the original concept of arranging Gollus during Dussera, the dolls were artfully divided into three steps. The bottom step featured dolls representing the Indian Cricket Team, construction workers fashioned after the Bob the Builder, South Indian meals dolls, who danced to songs glorifying a traditional south Indian meal and a uniquely delightful Pankestra orchestra, where dolls wielded kitchen utensils as musical instruments.
Ascending to the next tier, global dolls took centre stage, embodying Egyptian, Korean, Russian, and British Tin soldiers, each elegantly presenting cultural tales through meticulously choreographed movements.
Moving up the ladder, the Indian dolls assumed the spotlight, featuring the indispensable Marapachi dolls, pivotal in Navarathri Golu arrangements who performed to the traditional strains of Carnatic music; this tier also showcased puppets from Rajasthan and Gujarat, set to the rhythmic tunes of lilting folk music.
The highlight of the event featured a traditional Navaratri story narrated by the dolls, intricately weaving in various incarnations of Devi or the Mother Goddess.
A stunning Mysore Dussera procession made a grand entrance, with an adorned elephant carrying Goddess Chamundeshwari on a howdah, the royal family, horses, and folk dancers of Karnataka, bringing the very essence of Dussera to life on stage.
A melodic touch was added to the event with a choir presenting a seamless medley of Indian and French songs.
A total of 289 students, adorned in fitting attire and armed with props, infused the stage with energy during this two-hour spectacle.
