Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 14 May: The campus of Doon International School Riverside Campus came alive with enthusiasm, artistic brilliance, and spirited competition today as the school hosted Fervour – Interhouse Cultural Bonanza 2026. The much-awaited inter-House cultural extravaganza witnessed enthusiastic participation from Gandhi, Lincoln, Churchill, and Mandela Houses across the categories of Music, Storytelling, Drama, and Dance.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the School Director, Harinder Singh Mann, Sonika Mann, Principal Ajith Jacob, and Vice Principal Anju Varma, setting the tone for a spectacular cultural celebration.
The musical segment, titled Musical Mélange, enthralled the audience with a rich variety of genres and soulful renditions. Gandhi House mesmerised everyone with its semi-classical and classical presentation, Lincoln House energised the atmosphere through pop and rock performances, Churchill House impressed with a dynamic western fusion band act, while Mandela House captivated hearts with the depth and emotion of Qawwali and Sufi music.
The storytelling competition showcased the imaginative brilliance and expressive abilities of the young participants. Gandhi House presented The Garden of Dreams, Lincoln House spread a touching message through The Kindness Chain, Churchill House explored the timeless conflict of Good vs Evil, while Mandela House transported the audience into the fascinating world of Mythology. The eloquent narration and emotional expression of the students won immense appreciation from the audience.
The dramatic presentations emerged as one of the highlights of the event. Gandhi House presented The Inner Battle of Human, depicting the emotional struggles within individuals, while Lincoln House delivered an inspiring performance on Dreams vs Reality. Churchill House moved the audience with From Darkness to Hope, and Mandela House portrayed The Real Meaning of Happiness. The students displayed exceptional acting skills, powerful dialogue delivery, and expressive stage presence, leaving the audience deeply moved.
The event concluded with the energetic Dance Delight segment. Churchill House celebrated the vibrancy of folk traditions through its Festival Folk performance, Gandhi House showcased the grace of classical and semi-classical dance forms, Lincoln House electrified the stage with a lively hip-hop western performance, and Mandela House impressed everyone with a deeply expressive contemporary act. Each presentation reflected creativity, coordination, and artistic excellence.
The event was judged by an eminent panel of experts from the fields of music, storytelling, drama, and dance. The distinguished panel included vocalist and music educator Ayushi Joshi, Hindustani classical vocalist Divyanshi Dubey, senior educators Shahista Juliet Bowen and Chetna Jaiswal, theatre experts Kamal Pathak and Ujjwal Jain, along with renowned dance mentors Chaity Chatterjee, Anjali Dhoundiyal, and Vaishnavi, all of whom brought immense experience and expertise to the prestigious event.
The judges were felicitated with tokens of appreciation for their presence and valuable encouragement to the participants.
Addressing the gathering, Director Harinder Singh Mann highlighted the importance of such platforms in nurturing confidence, creativity, teamwork, and healthy competition among students. He remarked that every participant who steps onto the stage is a true winner.
The results added further excitement to the celebration as Churchill House secured first position in Music and Storytelling, Mandela House emerged victorious in Drama, and Lincoln House claimed top honours in Dance.
The grand celebration concluded on a triumphant note with Churchill House lifting the Overall Championship Trophy amidst loud cheers and applause, followed by the National Anthem.
