Annual Recital 2019-20

Dr. Pillai Global Academy, New Panvel has set a benchmark in education over the years, the first truly International School in Navi Mumbai. The school’s vision – ‘Truth We Honour, Knowledge We Cherish’ – reflects in their local actions and global options. Living up to the thought of ‘happy kids, successful kids’, the school ensures that all the needs of the students are fulfilled. Continuing with the its ritual, Dr. Pillai Global Academy, New Panvel celebrated Annual Recital 2019-20 on Thursday 19th December, 2019 on school ground. A recital on such a large scale was organised for the first time in the history of the school, where each student had the opportunity to perform and was attended by over 600 parents.

Like a ship needs a captain, a good event needs hosts. The School Council students – Anika Tandon and Lynette George- took upon the responsibility and proved themselves the perfect anchors for the evening. The spectacular evening commenced with the blessings of the almighty and the auspicious lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the school Director, Dr. Latha Venkataraman; Principal, Ms. Shraddha Sardesai, and all the dignitaries. The School Director, Dr. Latha Venkataraman then welcomed the dignitaries, guests and the audience.

The Audience soon dived into the harmonious blend of music and welcomed the high spirited and stupendous musicians of the evening. Christmas was around the corner and to spread the merriment and joy that came along with it, the first performance of the evening was by the youngest talents of DPGA, the little ‘Melody Minions’ from Grade 1 who sang the classic Christmas song ‘Santa Clause is coming to town’ as a Choir. The second performance was to rejoice in the journey of the memorable jingles in Indian Television History, The Melody Minions from second grade paid a deserving tribute to the classic Indian Ad Jingles with a fun and engaging singing performance and set a nostalgic vibe in the air. Both the Choirs were conducted by the Singing Teacher, Mr. Ajay Nayak.

The able and humble teachers of DPGA Ms. Padmapriya S. V. and Ms. Ichha Garg took over the stage to welcome and felicitate the dignitaries. It was a proud moment for the school as the programme was attended by Director and Trustee at Mahatma Education Society’s Pillai Group of Institutions, Mr. Franav Pillai; the guest of honour, Ms. Mabel Chan Pillai; Esteemed guest, Dr. Celina Joy; Talented Alumni – Ms. Aishwarya Shridhar and Ms. Kavita Mishra.

As the programme progressed, it was time for 6 Strings Unplugged. It was an unplugged section of music with only guitars, inspired by MTV Unplugged and Coke Studio India. In this set up, guitar students from each grade took the stage and performed all guitar instrumentals with occasional vocals. First were the students of Grade 5 with an instrumental guitar rendition of a famous Beethoven piece – ‘Ode to joy.’ The performance indeed set the pace for the musical evening. Next on stage was the second set of 6 strings unplugged by the skilled musicians of Grade 6 who performed a French piece – ‘Au Clair De La Lune’. Their performance set the musical vibes in the air. The students of Grade 7 took the stage and performed an unplugged version of the popular song ‘Somebody that I used to know’ from the famous International Artist ‘Gotye’ and were accompanied by our budding singers from Grade 9. The energy in their performance thrilled the audience. Next on stage were the young rockers of Grade 8 who performed the song La Bamba in a Mariachi Band style. All the performances were accompanied by Guitar Teacher Mr. Ajay Nayak.

As the curtains closed on the Six Strings Unplugged Section, the School Principal, Ms. Shraddha Sardesai, was welcomed on stage to share the school’s achievements and participation in various initiatives on an Inter and Intra school level. She walked everyone though the highlights of the ‘Journey through the decade’. It was a proud moment for the parents and school to reflect upon and be grateful for how much they have achieved together.

Moreover, the stage was set for DPGA’S most talented Violin Orchestra ‘The Little Mozart Ensemble’ conducted by the Violin Teacher, Mr. Prasun Lomjail, and accompanied by Ms. Mabel Chan Pillai. The Orchestra consisted of students from Grades 3 to 9 and played the wide range of melodies from western classical to India Classical, Bollywood and Contemporary Pop. The young violinists of DPGA were nothing less than professional violin players and played with all their heart. The Little Mozart Ensemble commenced their performance by playing renowned classical pieces like Allegro, Edel Wiess, Amzing Grace and Cannon, maintaining the true essence of the instrument. They filled the hearts of the audience with their melodious Christmas medleys – songs like ‘Silent night and ‘joy to the world’. The audience were awestruck as they played the most beautiful Bollywood songs that everyone could relate to. While the Violin Orchestra reached the souls of people with their music, Mr. Prasun entertained the audience by keeping the session enthusiastically interactive and by introducing Cello in the performance. The performance was very well received by the audience and the round of applause grew louder every second.

Ms. Aishwarya Sridhar, an alumnus and the first student of DPGA, was felicitated for her numerous achievements over the years. Ms. Kavita Mishra, a very talented alumnus of DPGA, made us proud by winning Miss Navi Mumbai in the year 2019. Mst. Satvik Verma, a student of Grade 9, was felicitated for making India proud by emerging as a silver medalist at Ken Ken International Championship, held in New York. A sense of pride, gratitude and tears of joy could be seen in the audience during this segment.

The recital reached its 4th section as the Groovy Percussionists took the stage by the storm and raised the energy level with electrifying performances, under the guidance of the Drum teacher, Mr. Nihit Kshirsagar. The drum students from Grades 3 to 8 got an opportunity to play their favourite songs on stage in solo and band set up. Songs like ‘Uptown Funk’ by Bruno Mars, Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’and The Rocky movie OST eye of the tiger; had the crowd grooving and clapping along the beats. An element of surprise was added when the students dived into ‘Kolaveri di’ – a famous Bollywood song.

To have the perfect finale for the evening, the Violin and Drum students collaborated and played the top charting song ‘Believer’ by Imagine Dragons. When the sound of Violins and the beats of the drums and bongos mixed with the power of electric guitar and the fusion element of Tabla, the performance really had the hearts of the audience thumping with adrenaline. There could not have been a more fitting finale performance for the show.

It was indeed a remarkable achievement for the teachers, students, the management of the school and parents.