Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park students win 2nd prize at “Art Poetica 2024-25”

The talented students of Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park—Nehal, Anjali, Mehreet, and Ahana—recently showcased their artistic brilliance at Art Poetica (2024-25), a Literature Blended with Performing Arts competition hosted by Delhi Public School, RK Puram. Their powerful performance, Veil to Victory, highlighting the journey of women from oppression to empowerment, earned them the prestigious second prize. The judges lauded their creativity and impactful storytelling.

Anjali:

Anjali’s artistic skills added a visual depth to the performance, enhancing its impact through expressive sketching. “It was a great experience! We worked as a team where Nehal handled the recitation, Mehreet and Ahana enacted the play, while I did the sketching. The entire process taught us a lot about teamwork, coordination, and presentation. Going to another school and representing Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park was an honour,” she shared.

She further added, “I have always enjoyed drawing, especially sketching, and my drawing teacher played a significant role in refining my artwork. Our teachers guided us throughout, helping us with everything from scriptwriting to stage presence.”

Nehal:

As the narrator, Nehal had the responsibility of delivering impactful recitations to bring their story to life. “Our teacher provided us with a script, and we divided our roles accordingly. I was the narrator, Anjali was sketching, and Mehreet and Ahana acted. We also sought help from our dance teacher to refine our stage movements. The experience was amazing, and I would love to participate in such events again,” she shared.

She also appreciated the hospitality of the hosting school, adding, “The faculty and volunteers were very kind. We had a wonderful time interacting with students from other schools. The competition had around 16 to 20 participating schools, making it a great learning experience.”

Mehreet:

Mehreet brought the act to life with her expressive performance, portraying the struggles and resilience of women through different eras. She reflected, “Acting in the play was a powerful experience. It made us feel the emotions deeply, and we worked hard to deliver an impactful message. The event itself was inspiring, especially the participation ceremony, where we got to witness a phenomenal play and musical performance.”

She also credited their Hindi teacher for guiding them, “Our teacher played a crucial role in helping us refine our drama and acting skills. The moment we heard we had won, I was left completely surprised yet ecstatic.”

Ahana:

Ahana played a significant role in depicting the transition from oppression to empowerment. She explained, “Our play depicted Draupadi’s past, real-life cases from the present, and a hopeful future where justice prevails. Since it was a silent act, we incorporated voice modulation, sound effects, and expressive movements to make it impactful. At the climax, I symbolically portrayed Goddess Lakshmi, representing justice and empowerment.”

She was particularly impressed by the other performances at the competition, “The welcoming opera felt like a live movie theater experience. Their murder mystery act, combined with stunning stage coordination, was mind-blowing. It was truly inspiring to watch such talent.”

The Thrill of Winning

Reflecting on the moment they were announced as second-place winners, Anjali recalled, “We were really happy! Initially, we thought our performance was not as strong as some of the other teams, but when we received positive feedback from our competitors, our confidence grew. Winning was an unexpected yet delightful surprise!”

Mehreet shared her excitement upon hearing the announcement at school: “Our Hindi teacher came into the classroom and told us the results. I had a feeling we had won, but hearing it officially was an unforgettable moment!”

Teachers, Parents, and the Road Ahead

The students credited their success to the unwavering support of their teachers and parents. “Our teachers played a crucial role, helping us with research and structuring our performance. They believed in us, which made a huge difference,” said Anjali.

Ahana reflected on her key takeaways from the event, “It was amazing to see how quickly other students created their artworks. The different techniques, from charcoal to quick sketches, were inspiring. Our own sketch, portraying the transition of women’s struggles, came together beautifully within minutes.”