Hamara Manch 2026 - Senior School
This year’s Hamara Manch put together by the Senior School children was a wonderful mix of
creativity and teamwork. The medley of performances showcased a diverse range of talents and
passions through music, roleplay and creative movements. In the week of readiness and
rehearsals as the event approached, the school was abuzz with energy and collaborative spirit.
For the Class XII students taking part in their final Hamara Manch, it was a unique occasion to say farewell to Shikshantar in the presence of friends and family.
Every facet of the event was carefully designed by the children, from the performances to
preparing, serving and selling the snacks. The Shik-Chefs of Class IX went through meticulous
planning, whether it was experimenting with the menu items, deciding quantities according to
expected footfall and setting the prices.
As the evening proceeded, talented musicians and band members sang covers of rock classics
like ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ by Keane and Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Crazy Train’, pop songs like
‘Long Live’ by Taylor Swift and more nostalgic numbers like ‘Daydreaming’ by Paramore. A
particularly enchanting piano piece titled ‘Odyssey’ was originally composed and performed by
a student.
Similarly, the creative movements throughout the evening showcased a great range in dance
styles. A heartfelt tribute to Michael Jackson and his signature style contrasted with a
celebration of the South Indian temple festival Thrissur Pooram through Kathak. Any Hamara
Manch performance feels incomplete without the energetic beats of Bhangra and Gidda folk
dances and this evening was no exception. The entire amphitheatre was pulsing as the students
leaped across the stage with joy.
The roleplays prepared by the students were varied in tone and also reflected a deep awareness
of societal responsibility. ‘The Last Witness’ took us on a twisting journey to untangle an
impossible crime. While plays like ‘राई का पहाड़’ with its comedy of errors and the modern slang
in ‘The Immortal Teenagers of Olympus’ had the audience chuckling, others raised sensitive
issues in today’s world. ‘Creation VS Creator’ dealt with the ethical hurdles of AI and humanity’s
responsibility towards the planet. ‘Aam-Awaaz’ was even more topical as it drew parallels
between the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and repression of speech at the recent protests. The
students invited the surprised parents to pitch in and give their opinions on every citizen’s
democratic duty, who credited the children for great courage in bringing up issues many adults
do not discuss.