DPS RK Puram hosted the annual Inter-School Art and Poetry Competition – ‘Art Poetica’
New Delhi: The Annual Dr. Prem Kirpal Memorial Inter-School Art and Poetry Competition – ‘Art Poetica’ was hosted by Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram recently, in loving memory of the former Chairman of the DPS Society, Dr. P.N. Kirpal. A total of 29 schools from Delhi NCR participated in six competitive events, exhibiting unparalleled creativity and a fervent love of literature and art. The Overall Rolling Trophy was bagged by Springdales School Dhaula Kuan.
The Chief Guest for the day was Mr. V.K. Shunglu, Chairman of the DPS Society and DPS R.K. Puram Managing Committee. Honorable Justice B.N. Kirpal, Member of the DPS Society and former Chief Justice of India, was the Guest of Honour, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Aruna Kirpal. Other honourable dignitaries who graced the event included Admiral M. M. Chopra, Dr. K.B. Shankar, Dr. Sudeepta Ghose, Dr. Usha Luthra, Mr. Promod Grover, Prof. B. P. Khandelwal, Dr. Ms. Kiran Datar, Ms. Vrinda Sarup, Dr. D. R. Saini and Mrs. Khader.
The competition included the following events :
Blend Art was a magnificent mosaic of poetry, drama, and art. Here, participants from classes XI-XII recited, dramatised, and painted the essence of a poem on a social issue or theme
Inverse Rhapsody involved the recitation of lines from a poem by students from classes VI-VIII, expressing the dominant as well as opposing emotions in contrasting tones, with colourful shades of drama. A pair of participants from each school passionately portrayed numerous rhymes derived from children’s stories
Lime-in-Rhyme gave amateur poets a remarkable opportunity to create limericks based on verbal inputs within a time limit, followed by an on-stage recitation. Participants of classes VI-VIII competed with great vigour to showcase their exuberant poetic skills.
Lyrical Canvas had participants capturing the dominant emotion of specific lines from a poem, and conveying its meaning and underlying metaphors through a caricature. They symbolised the comedic verses with great artistic insight. Students were divided into two categories: classes VI-VIII and IX-XII.
Rune Assay was an on-stage poetry discussion for students of Classes IX-XII from comprising two rounds. The first round tested the participants’ appreciation of the poem ‘Where the Mind is without Fear’ by Rabindranath Tagore provided to them beforehand. The second round encouraged the students to critically evaluate the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost on the spot on the basis of autobiographical overtones, title justification, use of poetic devices, rhyme scheme, etc. in 30 minutes. There was an emphasis on philosophical and analytical discussions about the theme, style, and relevance to present times and narrative voice
Stage-A-Verse challenged students from classes IX to XII to write a script in verse on the basis of a visual prompt, consequently enacting it. Participants performed eloquent rhythmic compositions riddled with humour and poetic finesse to explore the themes of empathy and environmental conservation.
The Principal, Ms. Vanita Sehgal began her address with a quote by Leonardo Da Vinci, “Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, but poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” She talked about how art is not what one makes, but how others perceive it; it inspires, educates and encourages one to think out of the box. She spoke apropos the philosophical and symbolic themes of popular poems such as ‘Where The Mind is Without Fear’ by Rabindranath Tagore and ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost. She talked about the mysterious aura that envelopes art, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ and Van Gogh’s ‘Café Terrace at Night’, and the diverse interpretations such works embody for different people. Quoting Pablo Picasso, she said that, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when we grow up.” She concluded her speech by urging the students not to lose or give up their talent, but to employ it the right way.
The Cultural Programme commenced with a mellifluous song by the school choir about believing in hope and light even when darkness prevails. The Expressions Theatre Club prepared an enlightening play on Mahatma Gandhi in honour of his 150th birth anniversary. The spectacular performance highlighted the struggle of a young boy discovering the truth within himself, and the need for today’s generation to assimilate Mahatma Gandhi’s message of truth, peace, unity and non-violence.
The Chairman, Mr. V.K. Shunglu, addressed the gathering by expressing his appreciation for original plays written by the students and staff themselves, which place importance on creation rather than imitation. He coined this as a transformational change that emphasises on creative writing as a skill that must be imbibed in children irrespective of language barriers. He underlined the significance of art and poetry, and encouraged all educational institutions to teach the art of creative writing.
He, along with Dr. B.N. Kripal, released the Literary Club’s annual magazine, The Bubbling Cauldron.