Kala Sangam 2025: A grand ode to creativity

Held on November 10–11, 2025, Apeejay School, Noida, paid a heartfelt tribute to Shrimati Rajeshwari Paul, wife of Dr Stya Paul, Founder-Chairman, Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, by hosting the grand two-day Inter-school Competition, Shrimati Rajeshwari Paul Kala Sangam. The vibrant competition brought together around 25 schools from across Delhi-NCR, including the host institute, providing young participants a platform to showcase their creativity and talent through music, dance, clay artistry, and quizzing, while celebrating holistic growth and artistic expression.

The event stands as a befitting tribute to Shrimati Rajeshwari Paul’s enduring legacy. It reflects her deep appreciation for art, culture, and education, and seeks to celebrate the spirit of creativity she so passionately championed. Through this festival, Apeejay School, Noida, continues to honour her vision of nurturing young talent and fostering artistic excellence.

The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Sadananda Biswas, a renowned Kathak dancer. Present on the occasion were esteemed judges, teachers, and participants. The event was also attended by Apeejay School, Noida, Vice-principals and Primary and Pre-primary In-charge. The dignitaries were given a warm welcome by the school band. This was followed by the ceremonial lamp lighting symbolising the dispelling of darkness and the ushering in of knowledge, creativity, and enlightenment amid the chanting of the deepam jyoti namoustute.

The green welcome accorded to all the dignitaries, marked by the presentation of a plant, symbolises sustainability, growth, and a commitment to nurturing life. It reflects the school’s belief in fostering harmony with nature and promoting eco-conscious values alongside creativity and learning. This was followed by felicitation to all the esteemed guests by Dr Neha Sharma, Principal, Apeejay School, Noida.

To celebrate creativity and diverse talent, it was time for the young Apeejayites to showcase their singing prowess. Taking the stage, Dr Sharma declared the Kala Sangam open and shared, “With nearly 25 schools participating in a range of events and competitions, it was clear the Shrimati Rajeshwari Paul Kala Sangam was a vibrant and spirited contest. Even if participants didn’t win, the true reward lay in the experience, the learning, and the wonderful memories they would take home.”

Taking the centre stage, the Chief Guest said, “It was a pleasure to have witnessed such wonderful performances by each of the participants. I am grateful to the school Principal for inviting me. I wish every student the best of luck and hope that they will be the torchbearers of taking our culture and traditions ahead. I also wish all the gurus the best of luck.”

On Day 1, the events included: Nritya Naveen Bharat Ka and Rhythm Revolution; Fact-o-Mania; Tribal Textures; Equation Express; Faces of Tradition; Ich bin…Rolle leben auf Deutsch; Clay Artistry; Quizzy Quants; Madhubani Fusion Art; and Rangmanch-e-Sadak.

Sharing their judging criteria, Ms Shilpa Sharma said, “I focused on how fluent and confident the students were while enacting their German characters. Pronunciation and sentence intonation played a major role, as they reflected not just language skills but authenticity. Expressions, too, were crucial; I looked for performers who truly felt their characters and understood them, rather than simply reciting memorised lines. My advice to participants would be to research deeply and know the person they are portraying, while avoiding the habit of reading from notes or performing without a genuine understanding.”

“As the theme of the dance competition, Nritya Naveen Bharat Ka, focused on portraying stories of the new India through dance, I paid close attention to how participants expressed their narratives through movement, expressions, and storytelling. Costumes also played a vital role, especially in a theme-based performance, as they help bring the concept to life,” Ms Kashish Singh shared.

As an artist with over 30 years of experience, Ms Anjali Agarwal doesn’t believe in rigid criteria or perfection. “For me, it’s all about expression; how the artist conveys their imagination and emotion through their work. Art has no boundaries; the sky is truly the limit. Originality is what matters most. I often tell students and parents that art isn’t about reproducing what we see — it’s about seeing beyond. Once, a child painted the grass pink and won a prize for it. Another parent questioned how grass could be pink. But that’s the essence of art; to perceive and create what others cannot see, to reveal what lies beyond the ordinary,” she stated, judging Clay Artistry.

Mr Agam Singh, who judged the Rhythms Revolution shared, “I focused primarily on coordination, an essential aspect of live music. I paid close attention to how well the players controlled their instruments and how the singers maintained vocal harmony.”

On Day 2, the events included: Nritya Sangam, Number Knockout, Expressions in Terracotta, Terracotta Tapestry, Lippan Wonders, Votre Vocabulaire!, Eco Vogue, Frames of Expression, and Escape Room. This was followed by prize distribution.

The judges for the two-day event were Ms Kashish Singh (Nritya Naveen Bharat Ka), Mr Agam Singh (Rhythm Revolution), Ms Manisha Dixit (Rangmanch-e-Sadak), Ms Sharmistha Sinha and Ms Arpita Raychaudhuri (Nritya Sangam), Ms Sugandha Rao (Expressions in Terracotta and Frames of Expression), Mr Asif (Terracotta Tapestry and Lippan Wonders), Ms Ruchika Nautiyal (Votre Vocabulaire!), and Ms Yuvika Jain (Eco Vogue).

Every event radiated originality, imagination, and the sheer joy of creation. The festival unfolded as a vibrant showcase of artistry and innovation, with young participants presenting their finest performances and exhibits. The judges praised the budding artists for their enthusiasm, creativity, and spirited participation.

Amity International School, Noida, earned the prestigious Overall Trophy for the Best Team. The two-day cultural celebration fulfilled its purpose of offering a dynamic platform for young talent to express creativity, imagination, and diverse abilities.

Shrimati Rajeshwari Paul Kala Sangam 2025 at Apeejay School, Noida, stood as a true tribute to the limitless potential of youth and the enduring power of art to inspire, connect, and uplift.