Every year Global Indian International School (GIIS), Noida in association with SPIC MACAY organizes cultural programmes to familiarize its students with the rich cultural heritage of the country. Following the yearly traditions, this year too an inter-house Nath (Qawwali) Competition was organized for grade 3-5 students in the school’s Multi-Purpose Hall.

GIIS Noida believes that India is a rich country with a huge repository of ancient dance forms, sufi kalamas, classical and folk songs. And educating the young blood of the nation becomes all the more important as they are ones who will take the legacy forward and take steps to preserve what other countries of the world don’t possess. With an objective of encouraging youth of the country to understand the importance of Nath (Qawwali) as its singers pray to Alah, Nabi or Muhammad to pay soulful respects and tribute, the Nath competition began with a prayer seeking almighty’s blessings.

Students from all the four houses performed in a group of 15-20 students. Each team had two main singers leading the Nath. Each house presented a different poetry written in Hindi and Urdu characterized by repetition and improvisation. School Music teachers Ms. Bhowmick and Mr. Harsh Massey accompanied students on harmonium and table respectively.

Since the theme of the day was Sufism, each participant was dressed as a Qawwal would, with colour coordinated clothing. Each house had a different colour theme to follow and present. Apart from the costumes, each house performance was judged on presentation, rhythm, pronunciation, and melody.

Gracing the panel of judges were Ms. Sharmistha Bose (Music Follower and mother of Aditya Bose grade 4), Ms. Nandita Dasgupta – Principal, GIIS Noida, and Ms. Manisha Bhagee – Academic Coordinator, Primary Wing. Speaking to the students, Ms. Nandita Dasgupta shared her valuable insights on areas our students can improve and polish their art.

The results of the inter-house Nath competition was as follows:

Performing arts is an essential component of the Nine Gems architecture followed at every GIIS campus in India. Students at each stage are engaged in activities which gives them an opportunity to observes, absorb, engage, and exhibit calibre in different art forms. This event was one such attempt to polish our students into professional artists of tomorrow.