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Discovering their talents
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Students from over hundred schools participated in Le Park 2003, a three-day cultural festival organised by the Leo Club of Park Town. A report.
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THOSE STUDENTS were not rigged out in their best bib and tucker; they were dressed in their regular school uniform. Yet, for those three days (August 7-9), they could merrily turn their back on books and satchels. And no one complained. Not even their parents and teachers. In other words, they were kicking up their heels and having a whale of a time, thanks to Le Park 2003, a three-day cultural event organised by the Leo Club of Park Town.
"The club has been organising this event every year since 1977," says R. Mahesh Kothari, president of the club. "We conduct this annual event to help these children discover their own talents. Every year, we send invitations to about 400 schools. And, not less than 100 schools take part in the event. This is the first time we are conducting Le Park in August. Earlier, the event used to be held in October or November." The competitions are open to students from classes VIII to XII only.
On all three days, participants from over hundred schools piled into the Anna Auditorium. They put their creativity to the test through competitions such as collage, western music (Do-La-Re-Pa), Indian light music (Sa-Re-Ga-Ma), creative writing, mind twister, adzap, Indian group dance (Jhankaar), art work, face painting, cross court (in which the participants have to argue themselves out of a tight spot), rangoli, JAM (Just a Minute), dumb charades, jughal bandhi, painting and modern group dance. A ramp was laid out for a fashion show.
The contest was called Style Check.
"Starting from this year, we are also conducting Handi Park which is a sports event for handicapped children. This year's Handi Park was held at the Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore in February. We sent out invitations to all the special schools in the city. About 2000 special children participated. We conducted 116 events in one day. Another event is Parivar Park, which is for parents. This was held in April," says Mukesh.
Mukesh himself used to participate in the Le Park events as a student. As the preceding generation has now passed the baton to his own, he and his peers have become organisers. It is a rite of passage that has been witnessed many times over the last 26 years. The event has stood the test of time, not only because of such an organisational set-up, but also due to the enthusiastic participation from the schools.
PRINCE FREDERICK
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