Beyond the Screen: Literary Saga 2025 Unmasks the Digital Illusions

A day full of words, wonder, and wisdom

Literary Saga 2025, hosted at Apeejay School, Pitampura, once again reaffirmed its legendary status as one of North Delhi’s most awaited and beloved literary extravaganzas. Every year, schools from across the region eagerly await this intellectual celebration — and this year, expectations weren’t just met; they were transcended.

The day unfolded on a profoundly spiritual note with a soulful chanting of the Gayatri Mantra, a moment that seemed to wash the school grounds with sacred energy. This was seamlessly followed by a stirring rendition of the prayer Raise Me Up accompanied by a graceful dance performance — a synergy of music and movement that evoked awe, inspiration, and a shared sense of purpose among students, teachers, and visitors alike. Hearts uplifted, spirits brimming with anticipation, the stage was now set for a day where creativity would confront the hidden complexities of our digital lives.

A theme that ‘clicks’ with all!

The theme, “The Digital Veil: Unmasking the Shadows of Connection”, struck a timely chord. As technology weaves ever-tighter lovely threads around our lives;bringing us closer, it simultaneously also spins a web of depression, misinformation, cyberbullying, and identity theft — eroding authentic human bonds. Literary Saga 2025 dared students to look beyond the alluring glow of their screens and engage in a deeper exploration of reality, humanity, and resilience — through literature, performance, art, and storytelling.

Page Turner – Launch a Book

In the riveting Page Turner – Launch a Book event, students from Classes 10 to 12 were given a challenge that fused literature and theatrics: to creatively ‘launch’ a book by celebrated authors like Harper Lee, John Steinbeck, and George Orwell. Through innovative skits, mock author interviews, and dynamic advertisements, students didn’t merely talk about books — they breathed life into them.

Life Skills Coach and Judge Mrs. Jayshree expressed her amazement saying, “This was a truly novel concept! Choosing dystopian authors was a masterstroke, given how literature can mirror societal flaws — much like the digital shadows we explored today. Encouraging students to engage with such profound literary works is perhaps the best antidote to the superficial glamour of social media.”

Students enthralled audiences with moving portrayals of timeless narratives, demonstrating that storytelling — even in an era dominated by fleeting posts — still holds enduring power.

#OpinionsMatter – Voices from the Digital Abyss

In #OpinionsMatter, students of classes 8 to 10 delved into the darker corners of social media, dramatising characters haunted by their own digital missteps. From influencers grappling with haunting posts to teenagers shackled by the relentless demand for online validation, each performance illuminated the silent battles fought behind curated online personas.

Lucky Puchhrat, Founder of Maverick India Solutions and judge for the event, shared, “I am completely mesmerised by the confidence and expression of the students. The dilemma of choosing between being noticed and losing oneself in the digital void was brilliantly portrayed. It’s refreshing to see young minds unlearning the need to ‘live for the ping’ and rediscovering the joy of laughing without filters.”

Co-judge Poet and Writer Arijit Roy added, “From sleepless nights over a mean comment to the hollow act of sharing reels without real communication, the performances held up a mirror to our lives. Students skilfully exposed the trauma hidden behind the glossy screens — reminding us all that there is, and always will be, a world beyond cell phones. A world we all must never forget!”

The event served as a poignant reminder: in the noisy chatter of the digital sphere, our authentic selves often go unheard.

Between the Shades – Art with a Cause

Art became activism at Between the Shades, as students of class 9 to 12 turned their imaginations into vibrant, powerful canvases. The 3-D art collages and posters gave voice to the theme, revealing the chasm between real and virtual lives.

From slogans like “Digital Literacy is as Crucial as Traditional Literacy” to visual narratives about social media’s role in numbing awareness about critical issues like climate change, the artworks were breathtaking in both beauty and message.

Renowned Tanjore Artist and Judge, Mrs. Sapna Gupta, reflected, “The creativity, passion, and depth of thought displayed by the students were simply mesmerising. Each artwork told a story, each color held an emotion. Students brilliantly articulated concepts of digital safety and boundaries — I left feeling deeply inspired and optimistic for the future.”

Through their paintbrushes and imagination, students offered a compelling call to balance technology with humanity.

Podcast – The Voice Behind the Veil

In the Podcast segment, Class 8 to 10 students demonstrated the emotive power of storytelling through sound. Within a mere three minutes, they spun gripping first-person narratives or well tailored fictional accounts about isolation, anxiety, fake validation, and the hard-won journey back to
self-worth.

Yet even amidst the struggles portrayed, there was always redemption. Characters realised the emptiness of likes and shares, finding solace in genuine conversations, real friendships, and the profound beauty of unplugged living. Each podcast became a whisper of hope against the deafening roar of the digital world, proving that real voices — when raised with authenticity — can still touch hearts.

Impact and Success

Ultimately, Literary Saga 2025 was far more than a competition; it was a renaissance of reflection, a festival of awakening. It challenged participants and audiences alike to unmask their digital veils, reconnect with genuine human experiences, and cherish the timeless bonds forged through words, art, and true communication.

With stirring performances, thought-provoking art, and authentic storytelling, Apeejay School, Pitampura once again proved that literature — when infused with relevance, creativity, and heart — does not just entertain; it transforms. In peeling away the digital illusions, the students rediscovered a timeless truth: real connections are forged not behind screens, but face to face, heart to heart, and word by word as we live moment by moment. 

“It’s rightly said that social media is more about sociology and psychology than technology — and the performances brought this reality alive with stunning creativity. The theme ‘The Digital Veil’ urges us all to pause and reflect. Always remember dear students: never post anything online you wouldn’t want plastered on a poster with your face on it. Be digitally smart!”