Christmas Eve

Like every year, Sahyadri was filled with the Christmas spirit this December too. There was that quiet excitement that comes every December, the kind that settles into the corridors and dorms and makes every place feel just a little more alive. Not to forget the carol singing that takes place every year, with tunes of Joy to the World, Silent Night, O Holy Night dancing about in the air, weaving themselves into conversations and laughter. Mira Akka used to organise the carol singing each year and this year we felt her absence acutely. However, the cultural committee ably stepped in to continue the legacy she had left.

The entire student body participated in the celebrations. From the youngest to the oldest, there was space for every voice. Grades 4 to 8 sang the carols with their dorm mates while the senior grades sang with their batch mates. Volunteers from across the grades came together for special bonus performances. It was not about perfection but about showing up and singing.

Each performance had a flavour to it. The melodious Joy to the World by the Vishakha boys filled the auditorium with warmth. The classic and timeless Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer by the Indrayani boys brought smiles that spread row by row. The enthusiastic 12 Days of Christmas by the Alaknanda girls was playful, loud and full of laughter. The spirited Deck the Halls by the Himadri girls carried a bright and festive energy. The gentle and heartfelt The First Noel by the Shivneri girls felt like a quiet snowfall. The rhythmic and earnest Drummer Boy by the Torna boys echoed with determination. The bold and outlandish We Three Kings by the Jaintia boys added a dramatic, almost theatrical, flair.

Then came the batch performances. A serene Silent Night by grade 9 slowed everything down and let the stillness settle. Grade 10 followed with a resolute and uplifting O Come All Ye Faithful. Grade 11 brought a vibrant, nostalgic Jingle Bell Rock; 2 years ago they had sung the same song and it felt special. Grade 12 offered a soulful Mary’s Boy Child Jesus Christ, grounded and full of depth.

The bonus performances added to the fun. The grades 4, 5, and 6 volunteers sang a cheerful Feliz Navidad that had people clapping along. The grades 7 and 8 volunteers followed with a lively and joyful Here Comes Santa Claus. And then the grades 11 and 12 volunteers sang Happy Xmas (War Is Over). It was powerful, gentle, and a peaceful protest wrapped in melody – a reminder that music can carry hope. Not all these songs were traditional carols, but carol singing at Sahyadri has always been about people coming together, connecting and singing their hearts out. The night ended with the preschoolers performing Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

This year Uddhav from grade 12 dressed up as Santa. With a red cap slightly askew and a bag full of candies, he walked through the crowd handing out sweets and laughter. Geetha Akka, Pradnya Akka, and Karuna Akka, along with the Dining Hall didis and dadas, added to the fun by arranging Hot Chocolate and Plum Cake for everyone. Sudesh Sir helped get Uddhav ready. Sunanda Akka saved the day when it came to rummaging through bags of old decorations and finding the best ones, and even ordering a few new ones to make the evening feel complete. The didis and dadas worked to clean and decorate the senior auditorium. Bhau Dada and the A.V. team’s efforts ensured that every voice was heard and every moment shone.

Carol singing is never just about the songs. It is about a community that comes together, sings, laughs, and remembers the little things together. It is about continuing a legacy, and about being a part of something larger than yourself. That is the spirit of carol singing and Christmas celebration at Sahyadri – a gentle reminder that when people come together and sing, they come a tad closer, and become a little kinder.