By Issac Gomes.
Kolkata: On 21st and 22nd November 2023 students of Loreto Convent Entally put on a marvellous concert at Rabindra Sadan Cultural Hall, Kolkata. The theme “Atha Mahakabikatha” was an adapted rendition of the compositions of Kalidas, who was ancient India’s greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language and one of the Nine Navaratnas (Jewels) in the royal court of Emperor Chandragupta II (CE380– CE 415).
As Sister Monica Rozario (Principal of Loreto Convent Entally) stated, the dance-drama from Sanskrit language was a conscious decision taken by her school, to align with India’s National Education Policy (NEP). NEP seeks to promote interest in India’s rich heritage of its ancient languages and culture where Sanskrit has played a significant role, including worship and rituals.
On 22nd November, the final day, Sister Josephone Burh – Superior of Loreto Entally, began the programme by invoking the spirit of the divine with a very meaningful prayer. After this Sister Monica Rozario felicitated Sister Beatrice Stuart – Guest of Honour, for making the foundress Mary Ward’s vision that `women in time to come will do much’ a reality, through her long and invaluable service in various capacities, including Provincial Consultor of the Province of Leadership Team, South Asia.
After this, the programme took off in the right earnest. It vividly showcased poet Kalidas’ early life as a simpleton, his marriage (through a conspiracy) to Vidyottamā, a learned princess of Ujjain; Vidyottama’s rejection of Kalidas due to his lack of education and culture; his attempt to commit suicide of out hopelessness; and finally his enlightenment and transition to Mahakavi (a great poet).
Through well-orchestrated dance, the girls vividly depicted Kalidas’ poetic description of the six ritus (seasons): Vasant (Spring), Grishma (Summer), Varsha (Monsoon), Sharad (Autumn), Hemant (Pre-Winter) and Shishir (Winter). Their act was complemented by beautiful backdrops and excellent Indian classical music befitting the seasons.
Thereafter, Kalidas’ masterpiece play – considered one among the hundred best books of the world – Abhijñānaśākuntalam (“Of the recognition of Sakuntala”) and Meghaduta (his best-known poem), were enacted. The Meghaduta is the lament of an exiled yaksha (a benevolent nature spirit) who is pining for his beloved on a lonely mountain peak. When, at the beginning of a monsoon, a big cloud perches on the peak, he asks it to deliver a message to his love in the Himalayan city of Alaka. In both the Acts, the `artistes’ performed their parts as though they were professionals! The enthralled audience went into raptures.
Mr Subodh Sarkar, well-known poet, writer, editor and Associate Professor of English (City College) was Chief Guest. He said he had nowhere seen such a breathtaking performance by school girls and that too such a challenging topic as poet Kalidas’ Sanskrit compositions. He opined that in spite of immense strides in Artificial Intelligence (AI), no AI in the world can match up to human ingenuity and its intrepid spirit. He said through their creativity, Loreto Entally girls had proved his point.
Sr Monica Rozario, in her closing speech said that in line with NEP, her school took a step forward to promote India’s rich heritage by putting up a play on the Sanskrit literary works of Poet Kalidas. She said among the ancient languages of the world, Sanskrit is the mother (root language) of many languages, and has played a significant role in shaping the minds of Asian poets, authors and playwrights in the Indian subcontinent and beyond. She reiterated that the Sanskrit compositions of Mahakavi Kalidas are literary treasures of our motherland.
In her vote of thanks Sr Monica made particular mention of:
- Ms Astha Mishra and Ms Sudha Pillai for their authentic translation of Kalidas’ Sanskrit compositions to Hindi and English respectively.
- Ms Doel Saha, Director and Scriptwriter of play
- Mr Sandip Dey for monitoring the entire background music.
- Mr Tanmoy Bhattacharya and his assistant for PowerPoint presentation (background scenes, etc).
- Mr Iqbal for still photography
- Mr Prashanto Dey, supervisor and his support staff for their unstinted support.
- The unwavering teamwork of students in sync with the Loreto spirit. 600 girls seamlessly took part in the 2-hour 15-Act play – both on and off the stage – during the two days of the concert.
- The costume and make-up, prop and dance committees and the music teacher.
- Ms Zarin, a student of Class XI for her exquisitely crafted invitation cards for special guests
- Students of classes X and XII for giving their voice-over for all the 15 Acts of the play.
- All the benefactors for their unstinting generosity to sponsor the event.
- Ms Sudha Pillai and Ms Rupa Sethi for emceeing and connecting the entire show.
The news entitled ‘Loreto Convent’s Students Concert Flawlessly Depicts Poet Kalidas’ Compositions’ has done justice to tireless efforts, burning a few midnight lamps to remain awake were certainly some anxious moments for the composers of this dance drama and the performers of this grand show on a highly professional stage in the heart of Kolkata, the city of joy n culture. Presenting the life and writings of ancient poet Kalidas was a Herculean task for the translators and to understand its many intricacies of the language and rich Indian cultural heritage. Rightly Kalidas is called Indian Shakespeare for his magnanimous thinking and very original contributions to the world of literature. Mr Isaac Gomes deserves a huge Kudos for writing this excellent report for the readers. He has not left any point in his coverage. I am sure this coverage will generate interest among the literary scholars and those deeply interested in Indian rich culture to watch the play on Kalidas. Congratulations to the Principal, to the composers of dance drama and 600+ students who performed on the stage with great devotion and determination. May God bless them all.
From a well wisher to Sr Monica, Principal
CONGRATULATIONS, for a spellbound, awesome, excellent show that your students and teachers have presented. A benchmark performance by the all the participants. My heartiest congratulations to everyone of your school. A show magnificently curated in every respect. Have no words to describe the level of perfection reached in the show by every contributors. Thank you immensely for Inviting me to a such spectacular presentation. Above all my salute to you as a great captain, a guiding and energising force, to the Titanic task accomplished. 👏👏👏👌👌👌🙏🙏
One of the best compliments ever. It means Sister Monica, Principal of Loreto Convent Entally deserves all the praise for her great leadership with a smile on her face.
Mr Isaac’s report has brought to performances to life. Even those like me who could not be in the audience to witness the concert, can visualize all the songs, dances and of course the Indian Classical Music. Kudos to all, in particular, the choreographer and the music director.
In addition to the previous comment, I would like to add few names who made this magnanimous work of art, music and dance very lively and relevant to our times. In our age of AI, our human components will ever remain demanding for such creativity. All such creative individuals of high degree of creativity and intelligence made Kalidas a living reality. Mrs Doyle Saha , script writer and Director, translators in Hindi by Mrs Astha Mishra and in English by Ms Sudha Pai and the dance choreographers Mrs Jana and Mrs Gloria and team were responsible to create such a spectacular show on Nov 21-22. The hand made card by Ms Zarin Abiden was another creative way to share creativity and belongingness to our human communities. May such creative efforts bring harmony and peace among all people irrespective of creed, culture and languages. Loreto school has done this under the leadership of Sr Monica, IBVM. Others will also contribute towards building bridges.
The concert by the senior school students of Loreto Convent Entally was simply superb. The performance was much beyond my expectation. I do not recollect the school having put on a complex classical play of this magnitude, for decades. By the way, the name of the choreographer is Mrs Jhumpa Jana, an alumnus from Vishva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan. Excellent story-telling (reporting) by Mr Isaac Gomes.