Amity International School, Sector 46, Gurgaon, in collaboration with Katyayani Theatre Group organized a show ?PRAYAS? on Sunday, September 1 at the Epicentre, Gurgaon. Katyayani Theatre Group is a prestigious group, initiated in 1994, involving budding writers and playwrights and actors along with the veterans in the field. The illustrious actors and writers associated with the group can inspire one and all.

The opening ceremony commenced with the highlighting of Amity vision and mission, and its commitment to nurture talent and breed success. After the customary lighting of the lamp, a symbolic effort to dispel darkness, by our Honourable Chairperson Mam, Dr. (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan, the show began. On display was a Kathak dance recital by Tulika Kirtiman truly, poetry in motion. The dynamic Principal of the school, Mrs. Arti Chopra addressed the gathering, sharing her thoughts on the initiative taken by the school.

No Not I was the first dramatic presentation which followed the Principal's address. Penned by the acclaimed writer of children?s plays, Poile Sengupta, set outdoors it is about a bunch of children who meet as a matter of routine for marathon storytelling sessions. The play is about one such occasion and what unfolds is a series of dramatic twists and turns! Rehearsals had been invigorating and everyone looked forward to the final presentation, the eventual success of which bore testament to the focus, hardwork and dramatic capabilities of the children.

While the audience was still savoring the aftertaste of the play, the students of Amitasha, the philanthropic chain of schools of Amity, regaled the audience with melodious songs. Their mellifluous efforts focused on the importance of education for the girl child, hope for the future, enlightenment to dispel darkness and the need for strength within, to combat external forces.

The Amitasha presentation was followed by The Stone Soup a classic Russian folk tale which has been performed successfully across the world. This particular piece written by the Indian playwright, Poile Sengupta, is a play within a play. Set in a school where a bunch of senior children rehearse for a production suddenly, without warning, find their efforts disrupted by the participants of the junior school play who charge into the rehearsal space with abandon! What transpires is complete chaos! Training of the students was a revelation to the Katyayani Theatre Group discovering real talent and the students penchant for acting. The precision of the final performance bore testimony to the dedication, discipline and hard work of the budding actors.

The sterling performances couldn?t have been possible without the expertise of the members of the Katyayani Theatre Group who were felicitated by the Honourable Chairperson of Amity Group of Schools, the visionary Dr. (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan, who shared her thoughts and experiences and lauded the efforts of everyone involved. The day ended with satisfaction for all, bringing out the truth of the old adage -

"Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best." Theodore I. Rubin.