Date: October, 2016
Location: Auro Mirra International School, Bengaluru
We wanted an education beyond data and information; education that did not turn a cold shoulder to the heart and to the deeper search for human values. No, not just words, but the real thing. Of course, nobody knows for sure what they are, but we wanted the search to be alive. So that children grow to understand that education is not just about being smart at subjects such as Math, Science and be glib talkers. That education is recognizing that we are all the tip of the ice-berg and that there is a journey beyond the structures of information and expectations that are handed down. That true education is about going within as much as exploring outside.
To do this, among other things, we decided to focus on ‘a value a month’ in our school (Auro Mirra International School, Bengaluru). A very small, very humble, but a genuine effort to create an environment where we could begin exploring human values. We take a different value each month and have our morning assemblies based on that particular value. So we gather stories, anecdotes, poems and songs around those values. Good idea you would say! But when we actually started implementing that for the children (ages 3 to 11 until now), we could not find a whole lot of relevant, child-friendly material that was relatable too. Stories yes, but songs were few. Unless there were prayers from various religious traditions or the rare film song. We wanted songs with a basic universal, human appeal, which children from different religious and cultural background could relate to and enjoy. We saw the need to create such songs—because songs find a way into the depth of a child’s heart in a way nothing else does. Create songs that were deep without being didactic, meaningful without being heavy, musically alive without being too difficult to sing. Songs you could sing alone and in groups; songs that seeped into your heart and soul easily and naturally.
Since our assemblies were in different languages, we looked for Hindi songs to begin with, and later we could expand to include other languages. The creation of this song was a journey for all involved. There is a sense of belonging when you are involved in the genesis. This is an amateur, in-house production, so you will find a lot of imperfections. The cost incurred was ONLY the cost of the studio where the children went for recording. The song was conceived, written, musically composed, sung and edited by the team of school staff and children. The video recording and editing were also done by one of the teachers. No professionals were involved. Perhaps later, when more of such songs are weaved together, we can go in for professional perfection. As of now this is what we have to offer. When you listen, watch or sing along, please think like a child.
This first song is on the theme of ‘Truth’—Talash hai (There Is a Search). What is truth? A question as old as the universe! How will you ask or answer it for a small child, without reducing its power and potential, without closing the door to its mystery and gifts, without making it a synonym to mere fact? We have tried. Hope it reaches you.
Here is the first song.