KATHMANDU: Showing the beauty of Nepal-India relations through cultural dance and music, the Kendriya Vidyalaya celebrated its 43rd Annual Day on December 1 at the Army Officers' Club, Sundhara.

Addressing function Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae said, "The Vidyalaya is a medium to nurture deeper relationships between the two countries and has become a centre of excellence. Here, Indian students get chance to learn Nepali culture, values and nature, and the same goes for Nepali students who enrol here."

"The school has been providing learning as well as extra-curricular activities for the overall development of children," he added.

The cultural programme began with a welcome dance performed by students from Classes I to V. They performed dance to the nursery rhyme Give me a Chance to Sing and Brazil. The students of Classes  I to V also performed the puppet dance. Students copied puppets' movement and style brilliantly to the song Chhupna Na Jaaao Ji.

Principal of KV R Shankar also sang a beautiful melody Khudse Jara Nakab Hatado Mere Hujur.

The Sanskrit Skit about the ruler Maharana Pratap was staged by students of Classes IX and X.

The event's highlight was Nepali dance that was performed by students of Classes I to V showing the Nepali cultural diversity. When the students performed to the songs Mohani Lagla Hai, Nira Jaile Risaune, Maitighar and Nepali Babu, the audiences were held spellbound and they gave a big applause.

About the performance a student of Class IV Amani Mansoor, nine, shared, "I was worried at first but it went well. So, I'm feeling good."

The orchestra was another highlight of the event. Students were blindfolded but still played several wonderful tunes. On the instruments — dholak, keyboard, guitar, drum, and effects among others — the students played tunes like Chak De India, Rato Ra Chandra Surya, Resham Phiriri, Nira Jaile Risaune and Ma Tujhe Salam.

Likewise, students of Classes VII, VIII and IX showcased various Indian dance styles.

The cultural dance ceremony ended with the performance of a fusion dance by students of Class IX to several Nepali and Hindi numbers.

As per the school’s Economics teacher V Subramanian, who teaches Classes XI and XII said, "We are proud that we have displayed talents to resemble the Indo-Nepal relationship. Students carry the future, therefore, they should know the beautiful relationship between these two countries."

He also pointed out that Nepali students are multi-talented but they are not career-focused.