Goenkan Grandeur – a festival of music, dance, oratory skills and colour provides a platform to the children to display their talent and high calibre. The 11th Gayatri Devi Goenka Memorial Cultural Festival, Goenkan Grandeur 2019, was organized by G D Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, from April 24 -26, 2019 and the three day extravaganza witnessed active participation from several leading schools across Delhi and the N.C.R.

The inaugural ceremony began with the auspicious lighting of the ceremonial lamp after which the mellifluous Goenkan singers presented a song. The honourable Principal, Mr. Sanjay Yadav, declared the cultural meet open. He advised the students “to display their talent with gay abandon without worrying about success or failure”. The Head of Planning and Events, Mrs. Swadesh Kumar, was the mainstay of the smooth conduct of the grand event. The Vice Principal, Mr. Rajender Shah, motivated the students and the teachers alike to strive for perfection and give their very best.
The spectacular extravaganza commenced with two forms of Art Competition. The first had for its theme aboriginal art. It was followed by on the spot painting competition. The events precipitated the superlative imagination of the artists on the canvas. This was followed by Western Dance Competition. The lissom dancers gracefully performed jazz, contemporary and hip hop styles.

Under the aegis of English Department, two English literary events were organised. A workshop, “In Praise of Poetry” was conducted by the Head of English Department G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, Ms. Rohina Shah. Through this highly interactive workshop, children of fifteen schools were exposed to the nuances of English poetry which helped them appreciate this genre sensitively. Simultaneously English Elocution was conducted at another venue. The judges, renowned academician and writer, Mrs. Neelam Sanwalka, popular educator and administrator, Dr. Onika Mehrotra, and a pioneer in modern teaching technologies, Ms. Yuna Babal, were introduced to the audience. Thirty four participants from seventeen schools created magic with their words through extremely interesting pieces and highly impressive elocution. They were judged on clarity, expression, voice modulation, choice of piece, diction and performance. Rahul Ranveer Shah and Ria Chaudhri of G.D.Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj were declared the best speakers and the judges felicitated him for their heart-rending renditions. The Principal congratulated the English Department and Head of English Department, Ms Rohina Shah, for the successful concept.

The next event of the day was Indian Music (Group Song) Competition with its theme as Indian Classical Chaturang. The classical singers mesmerized the audience with their melodious performances. The judges, the famous names in the music fraternity, Ms. Milan Upadhyay and Mr. Bishnumurari Chattopadhyay, judged the incredibly mellifluous songs on the basis of sur, laya, coordination, clarity, melody and overall presentation.

The festival culminated with two events of Western Music Competition on the third day – Duet and Western Music Band. The listeners were catapulted to another world and students of G. D. Goenka Vasant Kunj once again enthralled the audience with their awe-inspiring performances.

The annual venture came to a close with a dazzling valedictory ceremony. The winners were felicitated with trophies and certificates by Principal, Mr. Sanjay Yadav, Head of Events and Planning, Ms Swadesh Kumar, Ms Pankaja and Vice Principal, Mr. Rajinder Shah. Tirelessly working behind the scene, Activity Incharge, Ms Anisha Talwar, ensured flawless conduct of the event. The highly competitive affair ended with a lip smacking lunch at the cafeteria.
G D Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, firmly believes in nurturing and fostering students’ talent. This cultural odyssey channelized the energies of ebullient and talented learners to take the shape of a spectacular extravaganza. The resounding success of this enjoyable event rests upon the dedication of the students and the faculty of G D Goenka, especially the Activity Department, who worked diligently with great fervour under the able guidance of their Principal, Mr. Sanjay Yadav, Head of Events and Planning, Ms. Swadesh Kumar and Vice Principal, Mr. Rajender Shah.

ART COMPETITION – CATEGORY I – ABORIGINAL ART
I Position Inika Babbar
Indraprastha International School, Sector10, Dwarka, Delhi
II Position Vani Chandolia
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
III Position Hemant Verma
Salwan Public School, New Delhi
Consolation Prize Kashish Chandna
G. D. Goenka Public School, Sector48, Gurugram
Consolation Prize Mitali Gupta
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Consolation Prize Urvi Beswal
The Indian School, Delhi

ART COMPETITION – CATEGORY II – ON THE SPOT PAINTING
I Position N. Shriya
Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
II Position Noor Sharma
Amity International School, Saket, New Delhi
III Position Reva Sareen
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Consolation Prize Anoushka Nair
G. D. Goenka World School, Sohna, Gurugram
Consolation Prize Priyall Kumar
Tgaore International School, Delhi
Consolation Prize Rishita Loitongbam
Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram, New Delhi

WESTERN DANCE COMPETITION
I Position
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
and
Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram, New Delhi
II Position
Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
III Position
K. R. Mangalam, Greater KailashII, New Delhi

ENGLISH LITERARY EVENT – ELOCUTION CONTEST
I Position
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
II Position
Amity International School, Mayur Vihar, Delhi
III Position
G. D. Goenka World School, Sohna, Gurugram
Best Speaker (Individual – Senior)
Rahul Ranveer Shah, G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Best Speaker (Individual – Junior)
Ria Chaudhri, G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

INDIAN MUSIC – GROUP SONG COMPETITION (CLASSICAL CHATURANG)
I Position
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
II Position
Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
III Position
Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Best Accompanist
Vocalist – Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Tabla – K. R. Mangalam School, Greater KailashII, New Delhi
Harmonium – G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

WESTERN MUSIC BAND
I Position
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
II Position
Father Agnel School, Gautam Nagar, Delhi
III Position
Amity International School, Pushp Vihar, Delhi
Special Mention
G. D. Goenka Public School, Model Town, Delhi
Best Guitarist
K. R. Mangalam, Greater KailashII, New Delhi
Best Bass Player
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Best Keyboard Player
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Best Drummer
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

WESTERN MUSIC DUET
I Position
G. D. Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
II Position
Father Agnel School, Gautam Nagar, Delhi
III Position
Amity International School, Saket, New Delhi