The evening of 23rd saw the school premise agog with activities and people, who had come to encourage the efforts of Balamitra. Our visitors were treated to a conducted tour of the classrooms by volunteers and teachers to get a peep into the innovative Waldorf method of teaching. Colourfully decorated with painted pictures, hanging lamps and various other ingenious teaching aids, the classrooms attracted the attention of the visitors. Photographs of curricular as well as co-curricular activities of all the schools under Balamitra adorned the way to the classrooms. This gave the visitors a glimpse of the efforts taken by the volunteers and teachers who were using available natural resources without hampering the natural surroundings of the native children.

The Craft Bazaar was open to the public prior to the cultural programme. It showcased a myriad of innate talents of the children, which had been brought forth by the dedicated staff. The woven and painted baskets, homegrown farm products, hand knitted items and clay models displayed in the craft enclosure were the handiwork of children. The eyecather of the day was the Rainstick - a music instrument made out of bamboo pierced with nails and filled with pebbles, which gives a soothing sound of flowing water when tilted.

A play on the life of Gautama Buddha marked the commencement of the cultural programme. The story of "The Buddha-the Enlightened", enacted to the direction of Giulia and Peter was the highlight of the day. Scripted by Giulia, the story was rehearsed well by the students and they presented a remarkably confident performance. The execution of the play was notable in its presentation, simplicity as well as the portrayal.

After the play, the audience could enjoy the children’s choir, which presented a pleasant array of songs in Telugu, Oriya and native languages. The synchrony in their voices added to the sweetness of the songs they sang. It was a treat to our ears.

Interspersed with the cultural programmes were demonstrations of classroom activities based on Waldorf teaching. After an introduction to each subject activity was given, the audience was given an illustration of different classroom plays, games and activities performed by the children of classes 2 - 4. The alternative method of teaching, which made it easier and more interesting for the children, was proven to be very effective. This was substantiated when the children answered the queries of the audience correctly.

The strains of music that were flowing even after all the festivities were over bore testimony to the fact that it was an event that the students and the teachers ardently looked forward to.