Fun and frolic mark Sankranti festivities

Rajahmundry: Sri Shirdi Sai Dafne Asiatic School here was abuzz with Sankranti celebrations on Monday. The school students transformed the school premises into a rural setting with students dressed in traditional attire and drawing rangoli patterns and Haridasu singing tunes in praise of Lord Vishnu.

The festival celebrations reached a crescendo as the students came together to add grace to the festival celebrations. The school adorned a festive look where students let their imagination loose to decorate the premises with ‘Bommala koluvu’, gobbemmalu and colourful spread of ‘rangoli’.

Since this harvest festival is all about revisiting tradition, students chose all things pastoral. The bhogi flames, the makeshift hutments erected on the premises, the decorated bulls (gangireddulu), the Haridasu chanting keerthanas and the quintessential ritual of bhogi pallu (Indian cherries) on children brought the campus alive. Children dressed in traditional attire, enthralled the visitors by presenting a colourful cultural programme. Besides creating rangoli (muggu) patterns on the floor, girls performed gobbemma dance. A string of competitions were organised and prizes were given to the winners.

Correspondent T Paleswara Rao said the celebrations were part of the school’s endeavour to develop the students into rounded personalities. These festivals served as an effective tool to help students remain rooted to their rich traditions. Students must have knowledge about Indian festivals, the rituals associated with them and their significance, he added. Chairman T Sridhar said the campus transformed into an artiste’s palette as the space was awash with splendid colours. Director T Sri Vidya said these festivals serve as occasions to connect to our rich culture.