It was a welcome break for schoolchildren when they participated in a Children's Day jam at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) on the IISc. campus here on Thursday.
The Medley of Music, Myth and Mirth, featuring the percussion band Drumjam, creative storyteller Sara Hurley and musician Su Hart, organised by Teacher's Foundation, had the young audience in raptures.
The students were from Mallya Aditi, Freedom International, DPS (South), Deccan International, Shishu Mandir and Kalkeri Sangeetha Vidyalaya (Dharwad).
The founding members of Drumjam — Roberto Narain and Vasundhara Das — kicked off the performance on an upbeat note. The children participated with a tremendous amount of energy and the infectious atmosphere even persuaded the teachers present to drum a few beats. The artistes said that they play for children because “they are pure and they never fake it and are truly energetic”.
Animated narration
This performance was followed by the theatrical storyteller, Sara Hurley, who brought to life the characters of The Gingerbread Man and Fairytales from Scotland with her animated narration. This being her first visit to India, she said she finds the people “warm and welcoming”.
The programme concluded with Su Hart's performance. She drew the attention of the children to the self-sufficient and harmonious lifestyle of the Baka tribe of the rainforests of southeast Cameroon in Africa. Her passionate rendition of the songs of the Baka tribe left the audience spellbound
