Apeejayite duo win top honours in classical music

Bringing pride to Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, young vocalists Navyansh Tanwar (Class XI) and Aadit Sethi (Class VIII) have topped the District-level Classical Vocal Music Competition. Their performances impressed judges and audiences alike, setting the stage for their next challenge — representing their school at the State-level Competition.

The atmosphere at the event was filled with rhythm and emotion as the two budding artists showcased their mastery of Indian classical music. Their dedication, discipline, and deep understanding of the art form earned them well-deserved recognition. The win also highlighted the school’s continued commitment to nurturing young talent and encouraging excellence in the performing arts.

In the senior category, Navyansh impressed the judges with his soulful presentation of Raag Adana in sool taal in the dhrupad form, followed by a tarana in Raag Darbari with complex laykaari. Speaking about his choice, he said, “These compositions reflect both discipline and emotion — qualities my guru, Rishi Shankar Upadhyay, always emphasises in training. He guided me to understand the meaning behind every note, which helped me connect deeply with the audience.”

For him, consistency was the biggest challenge during preparation. “There were moments of fatigue and self-doubt, but my guru kept motivating me to stay focused. His guidance and encouragement made all the difference,” he said. “This is the second time I’ve secured a district-level position, and it inspires me to keep growing as a student of this art.”

When his name was announced, Navyansh felt immense gratitude. “It was a moment of joy and thankfulness. This achievement is not mine alone — it belongs to my guru and the school teachers, whose teachings have shaped my journey,” he said.

For Aadit, winning in the junior category was both exciting and emotional. “I was truly overjoyed when my name was announced as the winner,” he said with a smile. “It felt like all my hard work and practice had finally paid off. This victory has given me the confidence to keep improving in classical music.”

His preparation involved regular guidance from his music teacher, with a strong focus on mastering sur and taal. “I did daily riyaz to strengthen my voice and listened to performances by great classical singers. It helped me understand how emotions can shape a song,” he explained.

Aadit chose the classical Hindi song Badal Barsne Ko Aaye for the competition. “The song beautifully captures the spirit of the monsoon season,” he said. “It gave me the perfect opportunity to blend technique with emotion.”

Looking ahead

As both students advance to the State-level Classical Vocal Music Competition, the school community stands behind them with pride and encouragement. Their success serves as an inspiration to their peers and a reminder of the power of dedication, guidance, and passion in the pursuit of excellence.