Two enthusiastic students – Delisha Awasthi and Suparna Chakraborty of Class VII-A, from Apeejay School, Saket, share their passions, interests, and experiences, offering a glimpse into their hobbies, inspirations, and the support they receive from their school.
Delisha, has a deep passion for dance and also enjoys painting as a hobby is particularly devoted to learning Odissi, a classical art form that she finds both beautiful and challenging. “My interest in Odissi began because my sister used to practice it, and watching her inspired me to pursue it myself. I’ve now been learning Odissi for about one and a half years,” she said.
Through dancing, one of the biggest changes in her has been fitness. “The rigorous practice has made me feel physically more fit and active. Although I haven’t delved deeply into the cultural or historical aspects of the state from which Odissi originates, I do feel that I now understand and appreciate the culture associated with this dance form better,” she shared.
The school has also been supportive of her passion. Whenever she missed classes due to her dance commitments, the teachers helped her catch up with the class. She was also given an opportunity to give a solo Odissi performance while others performed different dance styles. “The best part was that I was not nervous at all; I consider myself a little bit of a professional in this area, having trained and practised consistently,” she stated.
Suparna, a 12-year-old, shared that her hobbies include dancing, especially kathak and reading books. I have been learning this art form for the last four years. My interest developed because I used to watch a lot of videos of kathak performances. I was mesmerised by the grace and beauty of the dance. That’s when I decided that I wanted to learn only kathak. My teachers and friends are all so supportive, which makes the journey even more enjoyable,” she said.
Over the years, dancing has taught her several important lessons. One of the biggest things she has learnt is the value of time and dedication. “What I love the most is the expressions. Initially, I struggled a lot with expressions. I didn’t know how to do them properly, and I wasn’t very confident. But with regular practice, I’ve become much better, and now I enjoy that part,” she shared.
In her endeavours, the school has also been very encouraging. “I actively participate in annual day functions and other school events. My teachers know that I dance well, and they always encourage me to take part in performances. It’s a wonderful experience to perform and rehearse with friends—it’s fun and also very enriching. When I miss classes due to rehearsals, the teachers usually ask my friends to share the classwork with me, which helps me stay on track with my studies,” she said in conclusion.