Keeping alive the magic
PAROMITA PAIN
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A week before the release of the book, celebrations began in the city.
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Photo: S.S. Kumar
Potter high: The party continues.
Of course the pre-event hype was what was expected and more. Bookstores went all out to make sure that their young audiences were constantly on a “Potter high”. The red warm interiors of the Oxford Bookstore was the site of some wonderful action all dedicated to keep the Gryffindor spirits soaring.
Balloon sculpture artist Sheetal managed to make nearly all the members of Hogwarts come alive by cleverly twisting balloons to form a slightly plump Harry, Ron and other magical creatures. The party followed soon after with games and some serious discussions on the “Deathly Hallows”.
Fun activities
Quizzes too formed an important part of the pre-release festivities. The Oxford store had one conducted by “Landing Stage”, the youth wing of the theatre group Masquerade. It was Hogwarts all over again with classes about to begin and the sorting hat busy putting the first years into their respective houses. Each child got a card as a keepsake to remember which house they were sorted into.
The trivia section of the British Council’s Young Learners Centre was dedicated to testing ‘Potter smarts’ but what drew the crowd was the tattoo section and of course, the fashion show.
Crossword too didn’t lag behind. Its ‘Design a Bookmark’ contest proved popular.
Celebrations were on in full swing at the Hippocampus Children’s Co. with its in-house ‘Design-a-book-cover competition’, ‘How well do you know Harry Potter’ quiz and the ‘Dress-up-as-one’ contest titled, ‘Which Harry Potter character will you be?’
The book’s out and almost all of us know what’s the ending like. But the fun isn’t over yet. The Landing Stage Youth Theatre Group is staging an exciting musical based on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone on July 27, 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. at the Chinmaya Heritage Hall, Harrington Road. The proceeds from the show go towards the Madhuram Narayanan Trust for spastic children. For details, email landingstage@gmail.com or call 9841302016.
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