"Night Bazaar" - the Woodstock Mela

Woodstock's annual Mela is a much anticipated part of the Spring semester. By the time it takes place the weather is usually at its best, and the Quad is packed with staff, students and visitors doing what they like the best - eating and shopping! The Mela is a fundraising event for the school's financial aid programme; but more than that, it is a good day out for all concerned - and it gives a great opportunity to our friends from local NGOs to show their wares and make some money for their causes.

This year we departed from tradition by having a Night Bazaar. The Mela opened at 5.30 p.m. and went through to late evening, with staff and students dancing the night away (well, until 10.15 p.m. at least) to the raucous music of the staff band. Music through the evening was also provided by some of our high school students, and the elementary school students performed a folk dance at the start of the Mela.

The actual opening was carried out by some of the participants from the Writers' Festival, which ended that day (click here for a report of that event) . After welcomes by Vice-Principal Philip Jacob and Development Director Jane Cummings, the writers released balloons, which filled the sky above the Quad.

Food was provided by a variety of local commercial outlets, but one of the most popular was the Japanese pancake stall run by a group of students - at peak times there was a wait of an hour for service! The Rhododendron Café on the Quad balcony was also well-frequented, with its home-made cakes and coffee. The Mela ended with the traditional auction of goods and services donated by parents and alumni before the dancing began.