A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • V O L U M E 1 I S S U E N O . 2 THE VALLEY

R i s h i V a l l e y S c h o o l - N e w s l e t t e r

There is no end to education. It is not that yoUup creo madi n ag Sbcohooko,l pass anE veexnatms &in Naetiwosn and finish with education. 1 - F A M I L Y D A Y Th2e - wF IhEoLlDe oT Rf lIiPfe, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.

J Krishnamurti

Editorial

The second term of 2018-19 was a culturally enriching one for the school as various teachers and students collaborated to bring a myriad of art forms before the rest of the establishment, including dance-and-drama, poetry, music and displays of students’ works in the Art Department, culminating in the annual art exhibition and semi-annual Musical Evening. However, apart from organizing these customary events, the school also provided students with a previously-unparalleled degree of exposure to the fine arts.

While, second term in R.V usually heralds the coming of the much-dreaded exams for the Sr. School, this year can only be described as leisurely for the 9th and 11th grades who bounced from excursion to activity to holiday with mild bouts of serious academics interspersed through the term. While the 9th began its term with excursion, the 11th had to endure a week of pre-series preparation, having arrived on campus seven days early.

Likewise, the Jr. School enjoyed a spell of mild deviation from studies, devoting a whole month to a careful analysis of winter-time in ; an overview of folklore, customs, festivals and food that ended with a morning of showcasing their findings in a joint assembly. As part of this study, the school also invited two troupes of folk artists to present local styles of singing, dance and drama to the students.

In other demonstrations of Indian art, there was a concert by the Vadasseri brothers, who played the nadaswaram and thavil, traditional temple instruments and an evening of dance by Odissi maestro Sharmilla Mukherjee and her ensemble. A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • V O L U M E 1 I S S U E N O . 2

Earlier January and February meant visits by the acclaimed poet, Dr. Gieve Patel COUNSELLING and a consequent poetry workshop. L O O K I N G B A C K & L O O K I N G F O R W A R D However, while he has been unable to frequent the valley in the last few years, As has been reported earlier, These counselling sessions have Dr. Patel hasn’t been forgotten and the after extensive research it was proven to be of great value just school still has poetry workshops in mid- decided to appoint a visiting going by the numbers that have January. This years’ poetry week counsellor for the school accessed these services. We will coincided with the visit of a poet named students commencing with continue this service. Rebecca, who did a workshop with both the current academic year. Some future plans include Jr. and Sr. Schools. Parivartan was chosen as the creation of a Wellness Space organization that would wherein children could come The annual visit of students from R.Vs’ provide the counsellor who and feel free to express sister school, Oak Grove saw another would visit twice a month and themselves using various break in the repartee of Indian culture would also be available on instruments such as painting, and another memorable New Year for Skype. As the academic year is music etc. We also hope to the 11th grade hosting it. The cultural coming to a close the request NIMHANS to visit the term concluded with the Jr. Musical programme was reviewed school and conduct a workshop Evening and Srujana Art Exhibition. recently. The following are the on adolescent brain growth, statistics: how to pick up early signs of Apart from a massive influx of culture possible Internalising or and arts into the valley, the school also 1-3 sessions: 43 students externalising signs which could saw a couple developments on the 4-7 sessions: 7 students then be addressed Zoological side, notably with the visits of 8-11 sessions: 3 students appropriately. herpetologists Gowri Shankar and Ishan 12+ sessions: 1 student Aggarwal, the latter being an ex-student and another fruitful session of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. TANA BANA P O E T R Y A N D M U S I C F E S T I V A L For the newsletter, this term has been an Over the span of one week, On the second day of the extremely busy albeit fruitful one. Here’s January 21 -28, Rishi Valley week, Siddharth Menon took a to another great year. hosted a poetry and music poetry reading session

festival. Organised on this marking the sad occasion of Siddharth Natarajan scale for the first time in Mary Oliver’s recent death. In recent memory, the week was her memory, he read a few of an extremely eventful and her poems attempting to memorable one. Filled with encapsulate the essence of her News from Rural Education moonlit poetry sharing writings. Centre: The second phase sessions, piano and violin of the collaboration with recitals, Carnatic and Western On Wednesday, the fledgling the A.P. government for vocal performances and much Class 11 band comprising improving 1300 primary more. members Maqbool (pianist), schools across the state Kirthana (singer/Kazoo), could not be launched as The week began with an Sanjushrree (singer), Abhiraj per the plan due to several assembly where students from (guitarist), Bilva delays on the part of the classes 9, 11, and 12 performed (singer/guitarist), Anshul state government in piano and violin compositions (percussionist), and guest signing the MoU. It will now along with some poetry member Raheem who features be commenced in June reading. The repertoire of the in one song as a violinist. Their 2019. poems and instrumental performance was a blend of pieces were wide in range and contemporary Indian and style. Western music, which brought forth all their musical talent. P A G E 0 2 A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • V O L U M E 1 I S S U E N O . 2

On Thursday Aditya Pandav gave an Dr Harikrishnan who joined Rishi Valley School was invited offbeat assembly on Hip-Hop culture and Chemistry faculty at the to join as a member of Krea spoke at length on one particular aspect, beginning of the academic University School Council. the music genre known as rap. It was an year resigned shortly after the · attempt to address many of the first term. Jyothi and Afshan attended prejudices one commonly holds against the Global Launch of SEE rap. He spoke not only of the social Rajan Chandy, Swathi Kumari Leaarning under the auspices significance of rap, but also the personal and Anantha Jyothi attended of His Holiness Dalai Lama on relevance it holds in his life. "Doing projects with purpose": April 5 and 6. workshop conducted by On Friday, three Senior School music P.Sainath. students (Kirthana, Sruthi and Mahati) performed a few Carnatic pieces SPECIAL PROGRAMS accompanied by Seshadri sir on the violin and Phani Kumar sir on Odissi Programme by Junior Musical Evening . Sharmila Mukherjee In the midst of excursions, Project month, the students got Sharmila Mukerjee is an odissi The week concluded with the annual busy practising for the junior Dancer and Choreographer, a Junior Musical Evening, bringing the first musical evening. After a special disciple of Guru Kelucharan Taana Baana to a meaningful and dinner on January 26th different Mohapatra. She is the founder remarkable end. houses, classes, special groups and artistic director of Sanjali and solo performers regaled the Centre for Odissi Dance, Durga audience with a variety of songs which was from different languages. established in 2004. She is the Watching King of Snakes recipient of the Mahari Award. STAFF with Gowri Shankar At the age of 16, Sharmila MATTERS Mukerjee played the lead role Gowri Shankar from Kalinga of 'Prakriti' in Tagore’s dance Centre for Rainforest Ecology (KCRE), located in the tiny drama 'Chandalika' during the Lekshmi Chandran has won the Dr village of Guddukere in poet's birth anniversary which Nasreen Ahmad Memorial prize for her Agumbe, which actively caught the attention of critics paper "The Matrilineal Households advocates conservation and for her grace. within the Brahmanical Social Order in educates people about snake

Precolonial " in the 78th session ecology showed his film ‘King of She and her ensemble of Indian History Congress at Jadhavpur Snakes’. The filming was presentated many dances on University. followed by question hour. January 12th which were

explained and demonstrated Anagh Purandare’s article "The with a lot of poise and Chemistry of Life" was published in I elegance. Wonder. This Newsletter is brought

to you by the Newsletter G Rangacharyulu and Venugopal Rao S Nadaswaram Kacheri committee: have been training rural school children On the 2nd of February, there and students from orphanages during was a concert of the Aman Rameshwar Krishna, winter vacation. The puppetry show and Nadaswaram instrument. It is an Prahlad Biswal, Aditya and folk dances were well appreciated. old South Indian instrument, Pandav, Siddharth Rangacharyulu was also awarded which is used during the Natarajan, Durga Chereddi, Telugu Book of Records for convening performances of temple rituals Rhea Sojan, Sanjushrree 30 monoacts in 180 minutes. and marriages. The concert was and Ashani Padhye put up by the Vadasseri Rajagopal, Tanuj and Ramola continue brothers, T. Shivadasan and to be Marathon enthusiasts. T.Sethumadhavan. This was a first of the kind concert in Rishi Valley School and it was greatly P A G E 0 3 appreciated. A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • V O L U M E 1 I S S U E N O . 2

MAHESH PANDEY C A N A R T A N D A C A D E M I C S C O M E T O G E T H E R ?

For the past two years Rishi Valley Searching for a suitable hostel, Mr. However, after four months, the school has been honoured to host Mahesh approached Radhaji (then demise of his father left his Mr. Mahesh Pandey. Being an head of , devastated. Now bearing additional alumni of the school, Mr. Mahesh ). Radhaji agreed to have responsibilities, he severed all ties joined in the year 1983 in sixth Mr. Mahesh on campus and in with Kalasurubhi and stayed home standard and passed out six years return of the favour, Mr. Mahesh to tend to his mother’s needs. later after his tenth standard. contributed to the society by starting an orphanage. As Mr. Soon after, Mr. Mahesh received a While in school he passionately Mahesh now recalls, with a faint letter from Patwardhanji of KFI pursued Bharatnatyam, religiously smile and a twinkle in his eyes-he foundation requesting him for help studied under M.L. was only eighteen years of age when in the set-up of a new school.Mr. Vasanthakumari, and learnt yoga he took up responsibility of eleven Mahesh took up the responsibility from B.K.S. Iyengar. Folk dance or young boys picked from Colonel alongside Uma and Thomas akka in “Folkie” as many students call it Allcot school for underprivileged starting Sahyadhri school on the was being taught by Jayprakash sir children. 10th of september,1994. at that time. Jayprakash sir had learnt all the dances from a After six years of caretaking, The school kept him busy for the frequent visitor, Jim Fowler, and studying and performing during next six years where he taught used to hold folk dance sessions his graduation ceremony, Mr. dance, yoga, Marathi, Hindi, every weekend for the senior Mahesh was extremely lucky to helped with houseparenting and school. It was during one of these receive three offers from foreign worked on the admission sessions that Mr. Mahesh was countries. He was approached by committee. It was during this introduced to folk dance and truly the embassies of Singapore, time period that Mr. Mahesh discovered his love for the artform. Canada and Netherlands. started going the world and

Intrigued by the Dutch culture, Mr. started gathering knowledge Recognising Mr. Mahesh’s Mahesh left to work in Holland. about the folk dances he learnt in immense talent for the artforms, During his stay in Holland Mr. Rishi Valley. Now Mr. Mahesh after graduation Rishi Valley, his Mahesh helped set up a dance works as a resource person for parents encouraged him to join a institute called Kalasurubhi schools, conducting dance and fine arts college in Chennai— (fragrance of art) and yoga workshops in schools Kalakshetra. In Kalalshetra he simultaneously performed in throughout the year. Rishi valley completed a four year course in concerts across Europe and is one such lucky school which Bharatnatyam and on receiving a Scandinavia. has been graced by his presence. governmant scholarship went on On coversing with him about the to do a two year advanced course Separated from his parents for a current state of folkie in Rishi in the dance form. During his long time, Mr.Mahesh decided to valley, Mr. Mahesh emphasised initial years he was tutored by pay a surprise visit to his parents. that revival was necessary. Sharada Hoffman. Her guidance He returned to to spend a Students for decades have been and dedication to the artform only six month vacation with them. performing dances with no prior helped inspire Mr. Mahesh and knowledge or background of the strengthened his resolve further. cultures from where these dances

originate. This year too, he has Originally being from Maharashtra, During his stay in taught the eighth and ninth Mr. Mahesh had several problems graders a repertoire of more than staying in Chennai. One of his Holland Mr. Mahesh 35 dances. Mr. Mahesh Pandey’s issues was the south Indian helped set up a aim as a teacher is to ensure a cuisine. Mr. Mahesh was often smooth marriage between art unhappy with the cuisine dance institute and academics. especially after a daily work out of called Kalasurubhi six hour and longed for home- made food. (fragrance of art). Aditya Pandav

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ASSEMBLIES A P O T P O U R R I O F I N S P I R A T I O N , C O N T E M P L A T I O N A N D F U N !

Junior Assemblies Special Project Month of modern lifestyle. Even the There have been a rich array of Assemblies younger students were able to enjoy the humour and were junior school assemblies across The junior school students spent a fascinated by the instruments languages and genres. The month fruitful project month learning used by the artists. old Andhra Winter project too saw about various aspects of Andhra many special assemblies. There such as its festivals, litterateurs, Kollatam is a dance native to the were special Hindi, Telugu, Social artists, local festivities. Three villages in parts of Chittoor Studies and 7th drama class special assemblies are worth the district, Andhra Pradesh. The presentations. There was a mention. students of RV had the privilege bonanza of student-scripted plays to watch two Kollatam dances on by 6th and 7th with its typical The traditional Harikatha and the twelfth of January this year. earthy humour of students. The Burrakatha artists from The dances were performed in end of the year saw a spectacular regaled the juniors circles with groups of around production of Phanthom’s Toll with mythological tales forty people participating in the Booth By Sita Akka’s students. interspersed with wit and humour first dance and about thirty in the second one. Among the dance group were twenty children, including boys and girls ranging from seven years of age to fifteen or sixteen years of age. These intricate dances were performed in circles with each participant holding on to one rope hanging from a metal frame. The dancers then danced to a rhythm produced by three musicians playing the keyboard, the drum and the Chidathalu. The dance was such that the ropes that the dancers held on to would come together to form a plait giving it the name jada kollatam. The dance then ended with the ropes disentangling. The children participating in the dance know how to make five types of plaits with the ropes. They performed two for us.

The different types of dances belonging to the 200-year old tradition include Kollatam, Kulakabhajana, Jadakopu and Sita-Rama Chakala Bhajana.

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The last of these assemblies ended Daksh B. and Manan of class 8 took Senior School Assemblies with a fantastic visual display of an assembly on electric cars, their Apoorv of class 11 gave a rangolis made by children history and possible future comprehensive and an absorbing themselves, a doll exhibition, fancy developments. They also spoke assembly on science fiction, a dress competition, textile displays, about electric cars in relation to genre he was very interested in herbal plant display among others. diesel and petrol cars and their and wanted to introduce to those There was a festive look about the advantages and disadvantages in who didn't know much about it. place. There was also a traditional comparison to each other. He explained the relevance and folk dance in which some of our appeal of science fiction in the support staff and students danced Daksh M. also of class 8, recreated real, modern world, taking together. It was a delight to see the game show ‘Minute to Win it’ inspiration from a TedTalk he had the young and old dance in perfect in an assembly. Various people watched, along with his own harmony. were called upon to carry out experience reading the works of specific tasks in under a minute in Middle School Assemblies some pioneers of the genre, order to win. including Isaac Asimov. Apoorv Siddhanth, of class 8, did an introduced the audience to some assembly on ‘The Internet of Naail of class 7, took an assembly very interesting theories of and Things’. This term refers to the on the Soviet-German relationship about science fiction - such as interconnection of computing in World War 2. In it he explained that 'Star-Wars', a movie series, devices which are embedded in the Non-aggression pact between may have had a significant role to everyday objects. It also covers the two countries, as well as play in the Cold War between the digital assistants like Siri and operation Barbarossa, the military U.S.A and the U.S.S.R!! Alexa. The assembly ended in a invasion of the Soviet Union by lively debate amongst the juniors, Germany. The next assembly was on the 9th who wondered about the practical of February, by Durga, Gamya and applications of this topic in RV. Tanishk and Agastaya of class 8 Sanjushrree, of class 11. It was the One popular notion was that took an assembly on the Asterix second part of the two digital assistants could eventually comics. They also talked about the take over the roles of house- lives of the author and illustrator of assemblies based on the parents. the comics – Goscinny and Uderzo. excursion to Madhya Pradesh the eleventh grade students had Tashi, also of class 8, showcased a Vihaan of class 7 took an assembly gone on in early December. On documentary he had made over on the graffiti artist Banksy. He the excursion, they had been the holidays. The subject of the talked in detail about the granted the opportunity to talk to documentary was his grandfather, anonymous artist’s social activism the inhabitants of a few different the celebrated film-maker Adoor ad his activities in places like villages in and around Gopalakrishnan, with whom he Palestine. He also had a slide show Hoshangabad district, including discussed his career. of various works Banksy’s and he farmers, fishermen, daily-wage pointed out and explained the earners and labourers. They also Riya and Lalith of class 7 took an social commentary behind each stayed with an NGO, Eklavya, that assembly on the vast topic of one. works with primary education in climate change. The main idea rural India, and were able to hold they picked up and talked about Atul from class 8 took an assembly lengthy discussions with its were greenhouse gases, and how on the current Venezuelan crisis. In members. Based on the climate change can be prevented. it, he gave details about information gleaned from these Venezuela’s history, key figures and interactions, and added inputs Devesh of class 7 took an assembly personalities and the current from teachers and other sources, on Turkey, where he had gone status of the various sides in the the students presented an during the holidays. He talked in conflict. assembly summing up the detail about various places of various problems faced by the cultural and historical significance A group of children from the 7th Indian agricultural sector and within the country. grade carried out the performance agriculturists. of a play that was written, produced and directed by them. They were aided in the endeavour P A G E 0 6 by Kusum akka. Senior School Assemblies A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • V O L U M E 1 I S S U E N O . 2

The expansive assembly gave a She gave an in-depth analysis of The first half of the assembly was historical backdrop to these issues, the current situation in primary a demonstration on how not to talking about the colonial policies education in India, emphasizing take assemblies, whereas the with regard to agriculture and the point that centralization of the second part focused on how to revenue which had laid the system of education was the only correct the mistakes foundation for them, highlighting way it could survive, as proven by demonstrated initially. Some of their root causes and factors that the example of almost all the common errors pointed out aggravate the situation. Moreover, developed nations, regardless of had to do with a speaker's body the three students provided the type of government or language, voice modulation and plausible and practical solutions to economy prevalent at the time. eye contact. The committee some of them. The presentation, covering social, members also spoke about how political, historical and economic to select topics and content for Shriya, Kshitija, Anunya, Nandita aspects of the education system in an assembly. They iterated that and Madhura of class 10, dressed in India, was exhaustive and very public speaking is a skill useful red and black, presented a informative. not just in school, but also in the collection of songs on the themes wider world, in almost every of love and heartbreak, with The following assembly was taken sphere of one's academic or reference to it being Valentine's by Anssh and Arnav, also of class 11, professional life. The tips Day. While the songs were mostly who gave an assembly on diverged by the committee modern, the added Elvis Presley Blockchain Technology, the members were certainly very number kept the old-music lovers technology behind cryptocurrency, useful and helpful, as was their engaged, too. The melody of its dangers and its usefulness in assurance that improvement will Kshitija, Shriya and Madhura's life today. They asserted that, come automatically if one keeps voices, combined with Nandita's because a blockchain is, by design, practising. guitar skills and Anunya keeping resistant to modification of the the rhythm, provided for a lovely data it carries, blockchain In a fill in assembly, Anagh sir, start to the day, with everyone technology is an incredible tool once again introduced the crowd humming the tunes long after the that has widespread applicability to a musician - the Hindustani assembly. in our systems of communication singer, Malini Rajurkar - and and economy. They also gave the played some of her music. It is Anagh sir took an assembly on alternative viewpoint, covering often difficult to find a brand of 'Indian Ocean', an Indian rock scams and thefts that are possible music that resonates across band who are widely recognized as because of the very nature of the cultures and ages, but it is safe to the pioneers of the rock fusion technology and the digital say that the skill and talent of the genre in the country. After an currencies that derive from it. vocalist certainly took everybody's informative talk on the band and Arnav and Anssh were certainly breath away. its constituent members, he played very helpful in increasing our some of their songs, which struck a knowledge about this tool that is Compiled by Adi. Siddhartha, soulful chord with the audience. of rising importance and relevance Ashani, Rhea, Aman and Prahalad in today's highly digitalized world. Ria, of the eleventh grade, spoke about the problems with the In a surprising turn of events, the system of primary education in Assembly Committee took an India, based on a chapter, called assembly - on assemblies! The Gurvinder Singh 'The Centrality of Education', in a presentation sought to share and Ms Sisodia book named 'An Uncertain Glory: knowledge gleaned, from the India and Its Contradictions' by members of the Committee's took two rock- Amartya Sen and Jean Drèze. experiences screening assemblies climbing for two months, and discussions with a wide range of teachers workshops for few about what a good assembly Class 8 students. constitutes and how one can improve their public speaking skills.

P A G E 0 7 Senior School Assemblies A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • V O L U M E 1 I S S U E N O . 2

Tuesday Assemblies in Junior She also taught the children some Oak Grove School students School songs which we sing often in our introduced themselves and sang Music was a predominant theme of classes. some songs. Rebecca sang some the Tuesday assemblies this term. songs and spoke about music Apart from that we had Anushka akka’s demonstration on and poetry. presentations by different teachers how to read different kinds of and visitors in the form of poems, poems and the art of performing Rajagopal Sir spoke about the stories dances, talks, etc. poetry was well received. Jatayu incident in the Ramayana and its rich portrayal in Sanskrit To mark the commencement of Vijayalakshmi akka sang a few literature. Harleen Akka spoke the tuesday assmeblies,we played melodious Kabir bhajans Meera about her experiences in Rishi beautiful Veena compositions by bhajans and a Baul Sangeet valley. Chitti Babu and Jayanti Kumaresh. compositions. Special Music Assemblies Following this was the customary welcome talk by Rajashekhar sir. Joshi sir and Ramola sir read Hindi This term we also had some poems – both serious ones and He also went over the regular special music assemblies Hasya Kavitha, satirical poems reminder/reiteration of the presented by both girls and boys based on the quests and physical boundaries of the school of classes 7 to 11: challenges of daily life. Ranjit sir beyond which students aren’t followed suit with more songs. He supposed to venture without adult The boys presented a Marathi spoke about lake Chilika and the company. abhanga, a Kajri ‘Barsan lage’. Konark temple in Orissa and ‘Lab pe Aathi, Hai dua..’ by Iqbal shared some interesting legends, In the second week, Ranjit sir and the familiar song of ‘Allah before presenting two songs on regaled the audience with a few hu’ by Nasrat Fateh Ali Khan. the same topic. melodious Oria songs.

Latha akka, Vidya akka and There were solo presentations by The next assembly was a dance Nandini akka sang three nice Mahati, Shruti and Keerthana performance by the children of vernacular songs in Marathi who sang compositions ofAndal, grade 4 and 5 and the REC Kannada and Garhwali. Thyagaraja and Annamaya students, trained by Mahesh respectively. Pandey sir and organized by On the eve of Christmas Geetha Jaishree akka. akka read a few interesting stories Apart from this, other groups

and played beautiful christmas presented Purandaradasa’a music on the theme of love. Jyothi Akka spoke about the Bhagyada lakshmi Baramma, change of seasons and its Kanchi Sankaracharya’s Sreevani akka read out a few manifestations in Rishi Valley. ‘Maithrim bhajatha’ and ‘Garuda interesting stories, with emphasis Tuesday Assemblies in Senior gamana thava’ a song written by on the relevance of the lessons at School Sringeri Bhavathy Tirtha Swami. the end of each tale, in our lives

today. An old student Suren Vikas spoke Finally, there was a solo about his experiences in and after presentation by Seshadri Sir and Marathi poetry for children was Rishi valley. He sang some of his Keerthan comprising presented by Anagh sir in view of own compositions. He also taught compositions of Dikshithar and the poetry week this term. Next some of the students the songs. Dr Balamurali Krishna. Aniket sir played some delightful folk music from different parts of Maitri spoke about counselling. the world. Derek regaled everyone with his stories. Santharam Sir spoke on A poet cum musician called bird ringing. George spoke on Rebecca, from Peru serenaded the Tibetan literature. audience with her mellifluous rendition of Spanish and French Lekshmi Akka spoke on history of folk songs. bharatanatyam. Jyothi Akka spoke on freedom. P A G E 0 8 Senior School Assemblies A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • V O L U M E 1 I S S U E N O . 2

SPORTS THIS TERM RHC NEWS

Football: Three weeks of Football Internal matches: cVEDA (NIMHANS): The coaching for Boys and one week 6th and 7th boys played an recruitment phase of the project for girls was held. Mr Ramkumar, a internal match. 6, 7, 8 and 11th comes to an end on 30 April 2019. coach from Chennai, trained both classes also played an internal Follow up of randomised boys and girls of 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11th match. participants for the next two classes. Along with coaching they years is pending approval by played some external and internal External matches: ICMR. This will involve one staff matches: Rishi Valley School (8, 9 and 11th) member to conduct a telephonic Vs Vayalpad Team. Vayalpad team follow up of these participants. Rishi Valley School (Classes 9, 10, 11 won. and 12) Vs RDT (from Ananthapur). The project has been well Rishi Valley School won. Score: 1/0 Rishi Valley School (6,7,8 and 11th) received by the families of the Vs Vayalpad Team. Rishi Valley participants. Many of them were Rishi Valley School (Classes 9, 10, 11 School won. groping in the dark with their and 12) Vs RDT (Anantapur). Rishi children’s problems and were at Valley School won. Score: 7/1. Basketball: a loss on how to deal with them. Dazer, Manan, Praneeth, Siddharth, No coach available to train We have been able to help them Navneet, Bilvasai, Adithya Honnur, children. We trained boys and girls, resolve conflicts, deal with Varun Reddy and Jigmet played and played few matches during children differently. well. this time. Now the plan is to train two lay Juniors (Classes 6, 7 and 8 along Girls: counsellors, drawn from the with Class 9). Rishi Valley School Vs Rishi Valley School Vs Vasishta project staff, over the next few Arogyavaram. Score: 4/4 – Match School. Vasishta school won. months. We are in touch with Draw. NIMHANS on sending a team to Rishi Valley School Vs Vasishta be trained at the institute. Rishi Valley School Vs Sriveda School. Rishi Valley School won School. Rishi Valley School won Vascular Diseases Project: The Score: 2/0 Rishi Valley School Vs Chittoor next phase, which entails Team. Chittoor Team won. following up of our previously Rishi Valley School Vs Sriveda recruited participants, is School. Rishi Valley School won Boys: scheduled to start from the 3 rd Score: 2/0 Rishi Valley School Vs Chittoor week of June. Prof. Amanda Thrift Team. Chittoor Team won and one of her Ph.D. 6 students Rishi Valley School Vs Sriveda will be coming to conduct the School. Rishi Valley School won Rishi Valley School Vs Madanapalle training. The expected duration Score: 4/0 Team. Match stopped due to rough of this phase is 18 months. play. Rishi Valley School Vs RDT (Anantapur). Rishi Valley School We also trained girls in Handball won. Score: 2/0. Suchir, Saaketh, game and played internal round Raheem, Abhinav, Srivar, Manan, Robin Tournament. Our School Surya Veda, Mokshit, Manjunath, team was very good and we are Lalith, Krish and Panav have played not getting teams to play external well. matches. Next academic year we should take team to play matches Cricket: Udaykumar from Vayalpad in Bangalore. trained our boys of classes 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11. During coaching they We have trained 9th class boys in played few external and internal for three weeks. We have matches. played match with Poojarivaripalle. Poojarivaripalle won the match. P A G E 0 9 Senior School Assemblies A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • V O L U M E 1 I S S U E N O . 2

SRUJANA ART EXHIBITION

In the pottery section, several sculptures stood alongside countless other pieces, from cups to pen-stands from clay sea shells to pot.

Needle craft had a wide array of lovingly designed bags, wall hangings, pencil pouches, files and even various articles of clothing, such as dresses. In the neighboring rooms, the Batik section had huge kalamkari pieces with intricate detail as well as a multitude of wall hangings, dupattas and saris.

The Painting section was full of artwork of unimaginable variety, The annual art exhibition took children as well as a magnificent of brief sketches and laboriously place on the 22nd and the 23rd of rendering of cave rock, on canvas painted papers, displaying the February this year, and was as by senior art students. The peaceful surroundings of the usual, an extraordinary display of woodcraft section was full of valley, as well as the imaginative the work done by students of carefully crafted pieces, that minds of the students. various classes throughout the ranged in size from a large foosball year. Outside the painting section, table to the most minute and was an assortment of origami delicately carved spoons. pieces by the junior school

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ISHAN AGARWAL & THE GECKO WALK

Dr. Ishan Agarwal is an Indian restricted to within 60 km of behavior among the younger herpetologist specializing in Bengaluru city and C. adventurers, the obviously flustered Geckoella who as part of his post- rishivalleyenisis’ has an even more mottled lizard was allowed a hasty doctoral with the Department of restricted range than the retreat into the safety of a Copper- Biology, Villanova University, USA, Bangalore geckoella only found pod’s ample foliage. Traversing the has discovered 3 new species of above 1000 m and in a specific path to the Sunrise-point, Ishan was able to ‘bag’ several Indian Cyrtodactylus or Bent-Toed type of Reserved Forest on that unidentified specimen and a few Geckoes after a period of 130 years one isolated hill range. Both identifiable ones, the latter of (the last discovery was of 7 species lizards were first described in the which he released following their between 1870 and 1885). journal, Zootoxia. In 2016, Agarwal close inspection by intrepid Rishi co-discovered in another Valleyites who may have later Geckos are lizards known from geckoella species , named claimed to have handled baby tropical and subtropical habitats Cyrtodactylus varadgirii, after dragons or alligators (ironically globally. Most geckos are nocturnal Sanctuary Award winner Varad despite them being from different and are found in a variety of Giri. Cyrtodactylus varadagirii is a reptile families, alligator in Spanish different habitats including forests, small, nocturnal, ground dwelling translates to ‘The Lizard’ ). On the trees, mountains, plateaus, etc. gecko. Its length is about 5.6 cm summit the group managed to Geckoella (a subgenus of (excluding the tail). Unlike other spot the commonly seen Termite Cyrtodactylus) are a group of bent Geckoella species, this species is Hill and Rock Geckoes as well as toed, ground dwelling geckos found to be present in areas the behemoth( as the name endemic to India and Sri Lanka. outside forests such as human suggests ) Giant Gecko, which is They fall under the family modified landscapes and can be large by gecko standards and can Gekkonidae, the largest family of identified by its conspicuous color deliver a nasty bite if cornered (all captured geckoes will bite but lack geckos in the world. Agarwal’s pattern. Despite its irregular big or sharp teeth). Other interest in lizards began in 2002, distribution over its range C. highlights of the evening include when as a college freshman he varadgirii is only known Geckoella Agamid lizards and the petite, came across the Deccan ground species with a range, of greater albeit deadly Saw-scaled Viper. gecko (Geckoella deccanensis) than 100 – 200 kms. Ishan and his Colleagues will pickle while out on a hike. Agarwal the species they captured in pursued his PhD on the Earlier in March this year, Dr. alcohol, preserving them for biogeography and systematics of Agarwal and his colleagues visited identification at the IISc. Indian bent-toed geckos from the the school as part of a study of the After a short stint in the valley, the Centre for Ecological Sciences at local lizard population, group returned to Bangalore for the Indian Institute of Science. particularly the Rishi Valley further studies on the nature of the

Geckoella and its brethren. Dr. lizards and their habitats. C. srilekhae, commonly called Agarwal, or Ishan as he likes to be Bangalore Geckoella, was first known kindly consented on taking [Note to readers: Despite its spotted in 2007 by Ishan Agarwal, interested students on a night apparent inhumanness, the in his Bangalore home. In 2010, a walk to identify the local reptile pickling of these animals is being juvenile specimen of C. population as well as search for done for scientific purposes. rishivalleyensis or Rishi valley Recognition of these Geckoes as any new species of Geckoella that Geckoella, was found by Agarwal’s entirely new species will contribute might inhabit the area. The IISc colleagues. The first is named to their conservation, especially for motley group of 8th graders, 9th after Agarwal’s mother, Srilekha vulnerable ones such as the Rishi graders and the odd 11th grader Agarwal and the second after his Valley Gecko and prevent future met outside the dining hall at 6:30 Alma Mater, Rishi Valley School. collectors from taxidermy them. on a Friday and under Ishan’s lead Both new species are endemic to Ishan also assures us that the set course for the slopes of cave the country, and have highly lizards are eliminated in a rock where his colleagues had restricted ranges that are limited completely humane manner] already begun their hunt. The first even within the Mysore plateau casualty of the evening was a Bark Siddhartha Natarajan with C. srilekhae’s range being Gecko in the volleyball courts. After being subject to much P A G E 1 1 torch-flashing and high-spirited A P R I L 2 0 1 9 • V O L U M E 1 I S S U E N O . 2

EXCURSIONS

The second term is always a busy they were treated to a traditional both farmers and fisherfolk. term, but what stands out for the Tibetian meal. non-board students are the The 11th grade went to Madhya excursions. The fourth graders The eighths had visited temples in Pradesh on its excursion. The visited the Lepakshi temple, famed the previous term as a part of children went to Hoshangabad, for its giant Nandi, monolith their History study trip. In the Panchmadi and Bhopal. In Hoshangabad, the children stayed structures and hanging pillars. The second term they visited the at an NGO called Ekalavya run by a fifth grade went to Kaigal. Kaigal Agasthya Science Foundation. The parent of RV. The organization is an is in , Andhra architecture of the Agastya educational institute which tries to Pradesh, is known for its ecological campus was exemplary, the enhance the learning experience of importance and is a part of accommodations were both first-generation learners and initiative. comfortable, and the hosts were their parents. The children had They stayed there for two days. The very warm. Students took part in several discussions about area was dry due to the failure of several science-related sessions, education as well as other subjects the last monsoon. On their some of which (the chemistry to do with social welfare in rural excursion, the children interacted session) were described as quite areas especially in Madhya Pradesh. with tribals at a school, among profound. Children also had the chance to other activities. interact with farmers and give an The ninth usually doesn’t go on a assembly (in RV) about their The 6th grade went to a town single excursion. Instead the class suffering and cycle of debt. The called Sreekalahasti, near , as a whole is divided into three to children also went to Panchmadi, a on their excursion. On their first four groups and is taken to hill station in Madhya Pradesh. In day they interacted with Gurrappa, different places of ecological/ Bhopal the children vised several museums including the Museum of who works with Kalamkari artists. environmental importance. This man, the Tribal museum and most He has also received a Padmashree year the ninth went to Kumta, importantly, The Bhopal Gas award for his work in the area. Agumbe and Valparai. Kumta is a Tragedy Museum. The children After this the children visited a village on the coast of Karnataka. also visited an NGO and a non- regional science museum where The children and teachers stayed profit hospital that worked with they spent a few hours. They also with the Panchabhoota those affected by the Gas Tragedy visited a planetarium. At night the organization, which is an NGO set of 1984. children and teachers stayed at up to promote the conservation of the Mamenduru forest lodge which the biodiversity of the area. The A group of enthusiastic bird is situated in the Venkateshwara children had the chance to watchers along with Shantaram Abayaranya wild life sanctuary. The interact with the local Sir and Jyothi Akka visited next morning the children went for communities which consisted of Nelapattu and Pulicat lake a hike in the forest after which sanctuaries. they headed back to RV.

This year the seventh grade went on an exciting excursion to Mysore and Coorg. In Mysore, they visited the famous Mysore Palace, as well as the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. Travelling to Coorg, they visited coffee estates, and learned about the entire process of coffee- making. They also went on a hike that briefly took them into the state of Kerala. Finally, they visited the Bylakuppe monastery, where

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CAMPUS BIRD COUNT 2019

Rishi Valley School participated in Babbler, Yellow-billed Babbler, Amongst the uncommon/rarer the Annual Campus Bird Counts Indian Robin, Common Myna, birds seen during the count this year between 15-18 February Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Purple- include: White-tailed Iora 2019. All students from Classes 4-7 rumped Sunbird, Purple Sunbird (Marshall's Iora), Black-hooded and interested birdwatchers from and the Tree Pipit were among Oriole, Hair-crested Drongo Classes 8 -11 participated in the the birds that were seen in good (Spangled Drongo), Yellow- throated Bulbul, Sulphur-bellied event apart from visitors, parents numbers (>20 individuals). Warbler, Oriental White-eye (not and a few staff members. Amongst these, some species often seen in the campus), Blyth's were communly roosting birds or Pipit and Common Rosefinch. Eighteen checklists were birds seen in flocks and so their submitted and a total of 108 bird numbers are higher (eg crows, Birds of prey were poorly species were recorded. The details bee-eaters, rose-ringed parakeet, represented in the count – only are summarized below. Tree Pipit and Babblers). However two species were noticed: Shikra the cattle egret appears under- and the Short-toed Snake-eagle. The Laughing Dove, Green Bee- counted since I have seen over 150 Waterbirds too were scarce due eater, Rose-ringed Parakeet, House birds flying past over the campus to the drought-like conditions Crow, Large-billed Crow, Red- at dusk. A few birds were seen prevailing in the area. rumped Swallow, Red-vented congregating on trees or areas Bulbul , White-browed Bulbul, having abundant food resources Common Tailorbird, Tawny-bellied (eg. Sunbirds, flowerpeckers, laughing doves).

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