The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : This school's kolu is about patriotism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 07, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

This school's kolu is about patriotism

T.Madhavan

It's to rouse national pride among students, says school official

CLOSE LOOK: Children take a look at one of the portraits put up at the kolu held at Sita Devi Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Higher Secondary School, East Tambaram. — Photo: A.Muralitharan

CHENNAI: Kolus during Navarathri by custom depict the deities of the Hindu pantheon; but the thematic Kolu at the Sita Devi Garodia Hindu Vidyalayam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, East Tambaram is different: it is a celebration of patriotism and nationalistic feeling.

Apart from colourful dolls, the exhibition portrays some of the women who have contributed to the nation's cultural achievements. Portraits of women from the ancient epics such as Gargi, Seetha and Andal; those who made a name for themselves during British rule and women who excelled in their fields such as Muthulakshmi Reddy, Rukmini Devi Arundale, Indira Gandhi and M.S. Subbulakshmi, are displayed in the Kolu.

The Kolu follows in the tradition set by the school during the Navarathri celebrations. On earlier occasions, there were kolus on the `Kargil War,' and `Summava Vandhathu Sudhandhiram' depicting the freedom struggle.

J. Uma Maheswari, Director, Teacher Education Research and Training and Matriculation Schools (in-charge) inaugurated this year's thematic kolu `Great Women of Our India' on Tuesday at the school campus. She lighted the traditional lamp and performed `aarti' to the deities placed on the stairs. The School Secretary K. Narayan Rao, while welcoming the guests, said the school was attempting to rouse national pride among the students.

Ms. Uma Maheswari applauded the school authorities celebrating the Kolu with a community perspective. She advised the students to preserve the nation's culture and tradition. N.V.Subramanian, school correspondent, T. Vijayalakshmi, principalandteachers participated.The colourful portrayal is a big draw for visitors from the neighbourhood; it will be on till October 11.

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