Rehearsals And Republic Day Celebrations

Let me begin by saying "Good job!" on the performance at the Republic Day celebrations. It was wonderful to see the kids all dressed up and reciting their lines confidently. A special shout out to Sathvik's costume, absolutely loved it!

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the parents for all their efforts in getting the kids dressed up as well as helping them practice their lines.

Having said that , let me begin with what was covered this month...

The last couple of classes were dedicated to preparing for the annual day celebrations, apart from the regular syllabus.

We practiced reciting the Dhyaana Shloka - Om Sahanavavatu (pg 9) and the daily prayers (Karaagre Vasate, Vakratunda, Saraswati Namastubhyam, Bramhaarpanam, Shubham Karoti, Kara Charana - pages 14-17 of the My Prayer Book).

We revised the Gruru Sthothram till verse 10 (pg 85-86). We practiced the bhajan Atma Nivasi Ram (pg 209-210) as well as Raama Naama Thaarakam (as they were going to perform this on the day of the celebrations).

The class before the last one was spent in finalizing and memorizing the lines that the kids would recite. During the last regular class,  we had a stage rehearsal for the same.

In Bala Ramayana, we learnt about Rama, Sita & Lakshmana progressing further into the forest to avoid repeated contact from people of Ayodhya, and how they met and received blessings of sages they met during their journey. We discussed Sita's concerns about Rama still carrying weapons and fighting demons instead of leading a life of peace and prayer, and how Rama convinced her that he was doing his duty. We learned about their meeting great Saint Agastya and how he gave the divine bow, arrow and sword designed by Vishwakarma for Vishnu to Rama. As an introduction to Agastya's power, we covered the story of Agastya staying in the South of India to balance the world when all great saints rushed to attend Lord Shiva's wedding. Also there is a story of how he humbled the Vindhya's into bowing down. We also covered the chapters involving Rama, Sita & Lakshmana taking blessings from various sages in the forest and settling down at Chitrakoota.  Before doing so, they met Jatayu (a descendant of Garuda), who informed them that he was a friend of Dasharatha, and would deep an eye on Sita whenever Rama and Lakshmana went out in the forest to hunt. The children found it interesting that Lakshmana was skilled at building a hut all by himself, despite the fact that he was a prince. We discussed about how we should learn to do our own chores and not depend on others if we can do something ourselves.

We proceeded to read about their encounter with Surpanakha, who wanted to marry Rama, and how Lakshmana cut off her nose when she misbehaved and tried to harm Sita. Then we learnt about how she went and cried in front of her brothers Khara and Dushana, demanding revenge for her insult. But both brothers, along with their huge armies were killed in the battle with Rama and Lakshmana.

As the kids had not completed their previous homework worksheets of writing Sanskrit consonants, we proceeded to do the same during class.

Please have the kids practice their daily prayers and Guru Sthothram regularly and send in their maps of India for tracing Lord Rama's footsteps. See you at the next class...