In our Indian culture classes, we’re learning about India and different states’ folklore, as well as the handicrafts created in different states. Each student in grade 7a was assigned a state and conducted research to find out about the handicrafts of that particular state. To understand more about various arts and crafts, we went down to Dehradun on October 11 th to visit the Virasat Fair. The word virasat means heritage.

Before we went to the fair, we stopped at Sherwood Public School and watched a delightful Rajasthani puppet show, which gave us first-hand information about the Rajathani culture. Woodstock students had a wonderful time with the Sherwood students at the puppet show and on the playground.

The Virasat Fair was brilliant. The 7a students were divided into groups with teachers and went off to enjoy the fair. Crafts from almost all the states of India were on display: Jammu Kashmir to Karnataka, and Orissa to Rajasthan. All of us bought at least one souvenir, as we could not resist such beautiful arts and crafts. We bought lanterns from Orissa, madhuvani paintings from Bihar, tribal axes from Chattisgarh, and many other lovely items. We had a great time and hope to go to the Virasat again—an excellent hands-on learning experience of India and its rich cultural traditions.

— Grade 7A Indian Culture Student

Being in Dehradun was one of the best things I have done this semester. As soon as we reached the town, we went to a school, where we saw a puppet show. All the puppets were perfectly made and brilliantly handled. At the end of the show, a small boy came up front, while his brother was drumming, and started dancing a Rajastani dance. At the end of the show, we saw how the puppets were worked and how to do the 'cool' moves. Then we went to a fair in Dehradun. It was great—the things for sale were all cheap, came from all over  India, and were handmade. Unluckily, I didn’t have that much money as I discovered more than half of it was Bhutanese money and would not be accepted. Yet, I managed to buy a few objects, one of which I gave to Mrs. Johnson as a farewell gift. Our trip to Deradhun was great. 

— Lukas Gnaur, 7a student

In Indian culture class, we studied a whole section on the stories behind cultural stories, for example, why do people light diyas (small clay pots with a wick in oil) in their house on Diwali*? We students were put into groups, and we were supposed to pick a folk tale from a state in India and perform it in a puppet show. After all of us had performed, Mrs. John, our Indian Culture teacher, told us that she would take us on a field trip to Sherwood Public School to see a formal puppet show from Dehradun.We saw the different kinds of dances from Rajasthan and a moral story performed by the puppets—the moral was “greed is bad.” After the show was over, we saw how the puppets were worked, and we tried them and found out that they were moved by strings and were very heavy.

After we saw the puppet show, we went to a fair called Virasat (heritage), which is only held during this season and has handicrafts from all over India. We saw Maharashtran Kohlapuri chappals (sandals), Rajasthani jootis (colorful leather shoes), and woodworking from Uttranchal. The prices were reasonable, and we could bargain. There was also handmade jewelry, and the earrings were very light and made out of cloth. Overall, we had a really educational field trip, saw lots of aspects of Indian culture, and had a wonderful time while we were doing something worthwhile.

— Prashansa Dickson, 7a student

 *People light diyas and set off firecrackers as part of the Diwali celebration, which commemorates Lord Rama’s return home after 14 years in exile, following his defeat of Ravana (representing the forces of evil). Lights were lit in every house to welcome Rama home, and he then became king.

—Arun Bansal, Head of Maintenance Department