Hemanth Utsav - 12th January, 2013

Indian cinema is an integral part of our life. The year 2013 marks the completion of 100 years of Indian cinema. Celebrating the momentous occasion, 400 students of Abhyasa International Residential School presented a multi-lingual, multi-cultural colorful Opera ‘100 Years of Indian Cinema' at Shilpakala Vedika, Madhapur, Hyderabad on Saturday evening. The large-scale, mammoth undertaking by the students portrayed the growth of Indian cinema and catalogued the influences that shaped the Indian film industry said Mr. Vinaayaka Kalleetla, Founder Principal, Abhyasa International Residential Public School.

The opera was organized as part of Hemanth Utsav 2013, an annual cultural festival celebrating the 17th Anniversary of the Abhyasa International Residential Public School, Toopran. The opera showcased the passion and struggle of Dadasaheb Phalke, who made India's first feature film Raja Harishchandra in the year 1913 and traced the societal forces that have inspired and influenced Indian cinema over the last hundred years and portrayed cinema as a powerful social tool that can change the history of a nation. The opera aimed to encapsulate the very magic of Indian cinema, it brings to the viewers snatches of music, glorious group dances, scenes of famous films, mesmerizing mimicry of famous actors, etc. ‘100 years of Cinema' is conceived, written and directed by the school's Founder Principal, Mr. Vinaayaka Kalleetla, who is an Associate Director in the Telugu Film industry and trained in Film direction at New York Film Academy.

Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee – Padam Vibhushan Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao; Mrs. Jamuna Ramana Rao, doyenne of Indian cinema and former Member of Parliament; Prof. Elluri Shiva Reddy, Vice Chancellor, Potti Sri Ramulu Telugu University; Dr. B.L. Meena, Additional Director General of Police (Drugs Control), A.P. and others graced the occasion.

Abhyasa School has a rare distinction of performing mammoth shows on different subjects year after year. The Hemanth Utsav celebrates each and every child's talent showcasing their diverse skills and abilities. Abhyasa is one of the few schools that has always involved all its 400 – plus students in its cultural extravaganza, as the school firmly believes in the concept "No Child To Be Left Behind."

The evening's festivities began with a prayer by the students of classes 1& 2 of free school and classes 4 and 5 who collectively recited the Ganesh Pancharatna Stotram. The Stotram is said to relieve the invoker of all miseries and anguish. This is a piece of poetry invoking the Elephant headed God Lord Ganesha requesting him to vanquish evil, bestow goodness on mankind and accept the humble offerings of the devotees. Later dignitaries lighted the lamp and inaugurated the cultural extravaganza.

Young student leaders were invested with the badge and oath of office. The great honor was bestowed on them to serve their school and students. Unlike many schools in Abhyasa student managers are given both the responsibility and the task of organizing, conducting and supervising every area of student life in Abhyasa. After the investiture, Dr. B.L. Meena Additional Director General of Police, Andhra Pradesh gave them the investiture address.

In Abhyasa we always nurture our children just as nature nurtures us human beings. We believe in celebrating and protecting Mother Nature, informed Mr. Vinaayak. We protect the environment through various eco-friendly schemes and projects and campus facilities, he informed. In this opera we left no student behind. Every student of our school participated in this program. And we have been continuing this practice for many years, he informed the gathering.

Some Glimpses of Event: