JOIN USB'lore students tell Rani Abbakka tale
Cultural programmes by schoolchildren depicting the courage and valour of freedom fighters, the varied mosaic of India’s peoples and folklore, and a stunning judo display were the highlights of Wednesday’s ceremonial parade organised as a part of Independence Day celebrations in the city.
As many as 1,700 students from different schools in the City captured the attention of the audience at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Grounds.
The spirit of nationalism and patriotism were captured by the students of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Pallike (BBMP) Boys and Girls High School, Austin Town in their performance, “Fighter Rani Abbakkadevi”.
More than 600 students took the audience back to the sixteenth century, using a dance drama format to show how Rani Abbakkadevi of Ullal fought against the Portuguese.
The Portuguese had attacked Ullal in 1567, located on the banks of the Nethravathi River for not having paid tax.
But the courageous Abbakkadevi refused to heed and fought against the Portuguese ultimately making the supreme sacrifice.
Next, 450 students from Government High School, Uttarahalli showcased rich folk dances in “Floker buzz”. Attired in colourful costumes, the students through their dance, conveyed that folk dance had the power to imbibe national integrity within people.
“Heroic sacrifices” had 500 students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya bringing out the history of Indian independence in a slow moving fusion dance beat.
The parade ground became an ocean of colour when 550 students of St Lourdes High School, Bangalore paid tributes to the patriots who fought against the British.
However, the motorcycle display, a regular feature at most I-Day parades at Maneckshaw Grounds, was missing this time, disappointing especially the younger audiences. It was replaced with the judo display.
Students of Pioneers Corps Training Centre, Agaram Post, demonstrated various techniques of the marshal art.
Earlier, the formal ceremony began with the Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar arriving at the saluting base to preside over the function.
The smart marching contingents of the paramilitary, police and student corps attired in their ceremonial best added colour to the parade. Flower petals were showered on the ground from a low-flying helicopter of the Indian Air Force.
The young brigade of the National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme who followed the paramilitary contingents were cheered and clapped enthusiastically by the audience.
The loudest applause went to the contingents from the Ramana Maharshi School for the Blind and Hamsa Dhvani who proved that handicap does not come in the way of patriotism.
“At Home”
Later in the day, Governor H R Bhardwaj hosted high tea at the Raj Bhavan. Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, his predecessor B S Yeddyurappa, top bureaucrats and senior officers of the armed forces were in attendance.