By Jolen Bernard
Patna: St Michael’s High School’s Montessori section transformed its campus into a lively, colourful stage on Sunday evening as parents, teachers and invited dignitaries gathered for the annual concert themed “Sarve Santu Sukhinah” — a Sanskrit invocation for universal happiness. The programme, built around the idea that joy and compassion are central to human life, offered far more than entertainment: it reflected the school’s approach to nurturing empathy and values from early childhood.
The event opened at 5pm with the school band, dressed in striking red, welcoming a roster of dignitaries that included chief guest Himanshu Sharma, IAS and CEO of Jeevika, alongside Shirsat Kapil Ashok, IAS and managing director of the Bihar Road Construction Department and COMFED; Swadha Rizvi, IFS and regional passport officer; Kartikeya Sharma, IPS and SSP Patna; and Sr Vidya SSH, provincial superior. They were joined by the school’s rector, Fr Norbert Menezes SJ; principal Fr A Christu Savarirajan SJ; vice-principal of the primary school, Sister Magdali Beck SSH and vice-principal of the high school, Dr Marie D’Cruz. Bouquets were presented before the ceremonial lamp was lit.
A prayer dance by upper kindergarten students followed, embodying the devotional tone of the concert’s theme. In his address, principal Fr Savarirajan spoke of the interconnectedness of personal, social and environmental wellbeing, emphasising the school’s commitment to value-based, holistic education that extends beyond classroom learning.
The centrepiece of the evening was a skit and a series of dances built around the fictional “Grumpy Family”, performed by lower and upper kindergarten students. Through vivid costumes, expressive performances and exuberant choreography, the children explored values such as kindness, gratitude, forgiveness and love — charting the transformation of a household mired in anger and negativity into one grounded in happiness and compassion.
The young performers drew frequent applause from the audience, their enthusiasm and confidence resonating with parents and guests. Chief guest Himanshu Sharma lauded the students’ creativity and the school’s efforts in nurturing artistic expression and self-assurance from an early age.
The grand finale brought nearly 400 students together on stage, creating a kaleidoscope of colour and collective energy. Smiling children waved at parents filming the spectacle, marking a warm and joyful close to the evening.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from vice-principal Sr Magdali Beck SSH, who acknowledged teachers, support staff, media teams, sound technicians and the Montessori students themselves for shaping an event that celebrated both creativity and community.
