Vasantotsav 2024- The Echoes of Spring

The 23^rd annual Vasantotsav Festival, a vibrant celebration heralding the arrival of spring, dazzled with unparalleled zeal and grandeur at Ahlcon International School on 12^th February and 14^th February 2024. Set amidst the joyful ambience of Basant Panchmi, the festival unfolded in a spectacle of splendour and excitement.

The key objectives to celebrate Vasantotsav are to:

• Foster the talent of students and celebrate performing arts.
• Recognise the excellence and honouring the tradition and knowledge.

Vasantotsav upheld its fundamental goal of cultivating the talents of students and embracing the rich diversity within the realm of performing arts. The festival meticulously orchestrated competitions across vocal, dance, and instrumental disciplines, offering opportunities for both offline and online participation. The event, drawing entries from 24 schools across Delhi NCR, as well as from regions like Gujarat and Alwar, Rajasthan, showcased its inclusive spirit and broad appeal. Participants engaged in a multitude of events, including solo dance, folk dance, tabla recitals, and collaborative jugalbandi performances, showcasing the festival’s unwavering commitment to nurturing artistic expression in its various forms. Whether through the graceful movements of solo dancers, the rhythmic beats of tabla recitals, or the harmonious interplay of musicians in jugalbandi, each performance illuminated the inherent beauty and diversity of the performing arts landscape celebrated by Vasantotsav.

The students of Ahlcon International School, spanning from foundational to senior stages, engaged in a series of in-house activities, including art and craft activities, dance performances, class decorations, etc. These activities were met with enthusiastic participation from the students. At the senior stage, outdoor activities such as Rangoli making and kite making were organized. Additionally, all students and staff members sought the blessings of Goddess Saraswati to infuse the year with greater blessings and educational fervour.

Aligned with the ethos of Vasantotsav, the festival reverently honoured tradition and knowledge. A special program on 14^th February 2024, dedicated to venerating the divine presence of Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, featured the esteemed Kathak exponent, Smt. Alaknanda Das Gupta and her disciple, Ms. Mannat Misra. Smt. Alaknanda, a renowned Kathak dancer, is the State Icon for the Election Commission in New Delhi and a Brand Ambassador for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In 2019, she became the first Indian classical dancer to receive the ‘Honors Gratis’ from the President of Krakow, Poland. Trained at Kathak Kendra for 14 years, her 40-year career is marked by national scholarships and international acclaim. Smt. Alaknanda runs the largest performing arts institute in NCR for 32 years, representing India globally. Her institute, affiliated with Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal Miraj, nurtures thousands of artists. In 2023, she wowed audiences in Russia and Poland. Smt. Alaknanda’s triumphant battle against cancer stands as a testament to the power of resilience and determination in conquering life’s greatest obstacles. Her story, embraced by leading news outlets and honoured through her role as a brand ambassador, ignites a flame of inspiration within us, urging us to persevere in the face of adversity.

A captivating dance performance of Ms. Mannat Misra guided by Smt. Alaknanda Das Gupta’s expertise, mesmerized the audience with its sublime artistry and grace, embodying the essence of talent and finesse celebrated at Vasantotsav.

The culmination of the festival witnessed the prestigious prize distribution ceremony, where winners and participating schools were duly honoured with certificates and prizes. Ahlcon Public School’s receipt of the coveted rolling trophy underscored the festival’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating excellence.

The resounding success of Vasantotsav Inter School Fest 2024, characterized by its harmonious blend of talent, tradition, and inspiration, stands as a testament to Ahlcon International School’s unwavering dedication to nurturing excellence and fostering a vibrant cultural ethos.