More Happenings at Farrukhnagar...

Its been almost a month since we last posted ....and there's lots that has happened. It would be too much to put into one post, so do bear with me as I update you on all that we did over the next few posts. Yes, it has been a very exciting 20+ days!!!

In our last post we had told you that we had come up with the idea of conducting a "Nukkad Natak" - or a street play in Farrukhnagar to sensitize the locals on the need to actively participate in the preservation of our heritage buildings. Back at our school and in partnership with the Farrukhnagar Govt. Girls' School, we managed to get approvals and a date for conducting the street play. 3rd September 2013 it was! 

Finally, we had frozen on everything; we had our dates and our students, a group of passionate 11 year old, ready. With a couple of more approvals and checks, we got permission to show them around the monuments in Farrukhnagar, after they had performed the Nukkad Natak. After all the formalities were through, we were set to go to Farrukhnagar. So on the morning of the 3^rd, we got ready. One last rehearsal, one last headcount and we were off!

The Bus Ride to Farrukhnagar

The bus ride was fun and foodie. Once we entered Farrukhnagar, the students glanced out of their windows, waiting for the long anticipated sight of the monuments. Finally, they spotted the Baoli, standing at the far end of the main road. But, as per our schedule, we were to visit the Government Girls School to perform the Nukkad Naatak (Street Play) first.

Nukkad Natak Superstars

We had already lined the event up with the principal of the school, Mrs. Rekha Kaushik, who had graciously agreed to let us perform the play for their students on their premises. After all the girls had gathered in a big circle around us, our 6th graders started their performance. It was a huge success! Must say there are some potential super-stars in our midst...See the pictures for yourselves!!!

Interacting with Children 

After the Nukkad Naatak, Mansi and I talked to the enthusiastic students of Farrukhnagar Govt. Girl's School about our collective heritage, why it’s so important to save it and the fact that they were so fortunate to have such amazing monuments just around the corner! 

It was an interactive session where we shared ideas on the steps we could take together to save our monuments. 

Interacting with Children 

At the end of our presentation, we asked the girls how they liked our interaction with them and their response was – “BAHUT ACHHA!”

Mrs. Kaushik - their Principal welcomed us in partnering with their students for the preservation of these monuments in the future as well. 

After expressing our gratitude to Mrs. Kaushik, we proceeded to our next stop- The Sheesh Mahal. There, we divided the students into two groups and started giving them a tour of the entire monument. After so many visits, tours and walks, we were talking about the place as if we lived there! 

Sheesh Mahal Visit

After finishing the entire tour, from the courts to the residences, we realized that we were running out of time- and we still had the Baoli to show them. So we hurried to the Baoli, the students very keen to see it as most of them had never seen a step-well before. They really enjoyed walking down to the actual well, while they admired the view from the roof-top as well.

Interacting with local experts at Sheesh Mahal

Yes We Can!!

Back in the bus, they told us how much they enjoyed their day and thanked us for the experience. We were equally enthused by their excitement as we realized that it only took a little effort to really get people (both young and old!) excited and involved in preserving our heritage. Its most definitely a serious issue but we could all have fun while trying to help solve it!

Look out for more posts soon on how many others have joined us on this fantastic journey.....