Students of Delhi Public School perform a fusion number in Ranchi on Thursday. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Nov. 18: When it comes to shaking a leg, the state’s youngsters have proven they are indeed second to none.

Delhi Public School (DPS), Bokaro, today trounced 10 other DPS schools to win the overall championship in the east zone inter-DPS creative and fusion dance competition held at the capital’s MTI auditorium today.

Ranchi was not far behind. DPS Ranchi was adjudged the first runners-up.

Titled Samanvay, the cultural extravaganza lived up to its name of confluence. In a series of eye-catching performances, as many as 1,100 students of 11 DPS schools showcased fusion dances based on themes such as the abstract creativity of Kathak-salsa, shashwat nirantar or the eternal continuity of life, the girl child, the power of good over evil, ravages of nature, the arrival of spring, navin puratan saath saath or the togetherness of the ancient and the modern, among others.

DPS Ranchi played host to schools from Rourkela, Guwahati, Jamshedpur and Bokaro among others.

Chief guest Sudhir Tripathy, secretary to Governor M.O.H. Farook, professed to be “impressed” by the talented dancers. While addressing students, Tripathy had lavish words of praise. “The performances were fascinating and lively,” he said.

Participants also earned raves from judges, including Doordarshan (Ranchi) programme executive Sharmishtha Majumdar, dance institute Pazeb director Dipak Sinha and Calcutta-based Ananda Shankar dance troupe student Shubhojit Shome.

Also present were H.K. Jain, executive director, Centre For Engineering and Technology, SAIL, and Manas Panda, general manager, Management Training Institute, SAIL.

DPS Ranchi principal J. Mohanty, who welcomed dignitaries, appreciated the students. “It’s thrilling to see the participation of students on such a large scale,” she said.