Art-integrated learning illuminates Diwali Utsav 2.0

On October 16, 2025, Apeejay School, Sector 15, Faridabad, hosted Diwali Utsav 2.0 – Aakarsh: The Festival of Inner Light. The event featured a captivating musical presentation by the young talents of pre-nursery to Class II, who filled the auditorium with the joy and warmth of Diwali through their expressive performances. The programme celebrated the essence of the festival, light, positivity, and togetherness, while also embodying the school’s vision of holistic education.

The celebration commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, symbolising purity, wisdom, and enlightenment amid the singing of the Shubham Kurutvam Kalyanam. The school Principal, Mrs Snehlata Krishnan, Ms Gunjan Sharma, Pre-primary In-charge and the invited dignitaries performed the ritual, marking an auspicious start to the morning.

The event was graced by parents, grandparents, and guests. Adding to the pride and reach of the occasion, the celebration was telecast live across multiple platforms, allowing the larger Apeejay Education community to witness the young learners’ talent and enthusiasm.

The guests were welcomed with a green gesture and handcrafted tokens made by students, reflecting Apeejay School’s commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness.

Speaking at the utsav, the Principal shared, “NEP 2020 inspires us to see learning as a vibrant, interconnected journey rather than a set of subjects taught in isolation. When children express themselves through art, theatre, music, and movement, they begin to understand life in its most creative and compassionate form. They learn teamwork, patience, and empathy without even realising it. This celebration is not just a Diwali event; it is a reflection of how education can illuminate minds, nurture values, and awaken the inner light within every child.”

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event also aimed to nurture values of social responsibility, spiritual awareness, and environmental consciousness among young learners. Through their performances, students reflected on themes of good and evil, inspired by the story of Ravan and Ram rajya, encouraging introspection and empathy; key aspects of building peaceful and inclusive communities.

Every child from Pre-nursery to Class II participated, making the celebration a true display of inclusivity and experiential learning. Their synchronised performances demonstrated teamwork, patience, and confidence, while their spontaneous expressions revealed the joy of discovery that lies at the heart of creative learning.

And what a brilliant performance it was. Each act carried a message of light, positivity, and togetherness, celebrating the festival as a journey of inner illumination. The performances were a true reflection of experiential learning, where children grow through hands-on participation and joyful exploration. The young performers worked with great enthusiasm and dedication to bring this event to life. For many of them, the utsav marked their very first stage performance — a milestone in confidence, expression, and learning.

Dressed in colourful attire, their performance was amazing, be it their expressions as they delivered their dialogues or their dance moves, every aspect was filled with confidence, grace, and infectious enthusiasm, reflecting both their preparation and genuine joy in performing.

From the dramatised portryal of Ravan and what his 10 head depict (kaam, krodh, moh, lobh, mad, matsary, manas, buddhi, chitt, and ahamkar), and Ram rajya to the lively Michael Jackson number, the students explored the symbolic struggle between good and evil and the concept of conquering one’s inner darkness. The showstopper was Naradji, who, with his characteristic wit and charm, spoke about the true essence of Ram rajya, a realm built on righteousness, harmony, and compassion, adding both depth and lighthearted wisdom to the performance.

The aim was to create awareness that people should kill the evil inside — to reflect, identify, and overcome negative traits such as anger, greed, ego, and jealousy that cloud one’s inner light, thereby nurturing goodness, compassion, and self-awareness in everyday life. The utsav ended with a ‘vote of thanks’ to the Principal, Pre-primary In-charge, and all the invitees, including the parents and grandparents.

Speaking about the utsav, a parent said, “I really liked the overall vibe of the function. The children performed wonderfully, and the teachers’ efforts were clearly visible. Both my sons, one in nursery and the other in Class I, participated, and it felt truly special watching them on stage. Events like these help children understand our culture and values, and I believe such experiences will guide them to grow into kind, responsible human beings.”

Sharing a similar sentiment, another parent, whose son is in nursery shared, “The programme was excellent. The children are incredibly talented, and the teachers have put in so much energy and effort. Managing and guiding such young children with this level of dedication is truly commendable.”

“It was absolutely amazing; a well-organised programme. The efforts of both teachers and students were clearly visible and truly praiseworthy. My daughter, from Class II, participated, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching her perform,” a parent stated.

A heartfelt gratitude went to the Principal for her inspiring leadership, our guests for their gracious presence, our teachers for their dedication, and our young performers for spreading festive joy and light.

Overall, the Diwali Utsav 2.0-Aakarsh shone as a celebration not only of light and festivity but also of learning, creativity, and the inner brilliance that education seeks to nurture in every child.