Magic, dance, drama and music kept children engaged on Day 1 of the Anandamela Summer Camp 2018, organised 
by Anandamela for students of classes II to VIII, at Gems Akademia International School on Thursday

Participants were taught simple and fun magic such as the disappearing coin trick, classic cups and balls trick and some wand tricks. The children even tried their hand at some magic on stage. “It was fun learning the tricks. I love watching magic shows,” said Aishika Banerjee, a Class IV student of Maharishi Vidya Mandir School.

The origin of theatre and the basics of acting were explained to the students through games. “We were taught how to act. It was such fun. We played lots of games such as Dragon Tail,” said Priyanshi Bhattacharjee, a Class IV student of St Xavier’s Institution, Panihati.

Children were introduced to the basics of Kalaripayattu, a martial art with attack and defensive patterns. The workshop began with light warm-up exercises, followed by self-defence techniques that included blocks, press, cuts, kicks and punches. The children were explained the importance of such lessons and the technicalities of each move. “I loved this workshop. I learn martial arts and there was a lot of similarity with this form. I will go home and find out more about it,” said Ahir Chakraborty, a Class VI student of  Rammohan Mission High School. 

Strains of the timeless Do Re Mi from The Sound of Music filled the air, followed by Tagore’s Momo chitte niti nritye as children were taught musical notes and voice coordination. “I learnt a new song today. I will go home and practise it,” said Julia Avisikta Sirkar, a Class VI student of United Missionary Girls High School. 

Reporting by Arundhati Bhattacharya
Pictures by Shuvo Roychaudhury