The Great Festival Showdown: A Journey from Indifference to Awakening

Scene 1: The Announcement

Tamizhini: Hello everyone! I’m Tamizhini, here to take you on a journey through the exciting
world of festivals as experienced by the students of class 11A. As the school day comes to a
close, the classroom is filled with both students and teachers. The teacher is about to share
an important announcement, stirring a mix of excitement and concern among some of the
students.

A teacher will provide the below announcement

"Students, next week we will host The Great Festival Contest!" he declared, his enthusiasm
lighting up the room. “

A collective murmur swept through the hall, a mix of intrigue and skepticism. “What’s a
showdown?” whispered darshana to prithvi,

“It’s a waste of time,” Prithvi whispered back, rolling his eyes.

zuhair continued, “Each team will represent a festival. You’ll showcase its traditions, history,
and significance. But here’s the twist: you must convince your peers that your festival is the
most important of all!”

The room of students (all festival participants ) was excited!,

“Another waste of time,” muttered thoufique . “Rituals won’t help us pass our exams.”

darshana agreed. “Exactly. I need to focus on my studies. Festivals are for people with time
to waste.”

Mr zuhair : you two , what did you say about festivals and culture??

prithvi (sarcastic, raising his hand): "Sir, if I may? The only celebration I need is my great exam
results and my parents being proud of me."

darshana (nodding in agreement): "Exactly! The only festival celebration I’m gonna face if I fail my
exams is a grand event—my mother and father’s rage. Trust me folks (to the audience), that’s a
festival that no one wants to attend (say very slowly)!"

(smiling but firm): "my god , what will i do with these children(facing away).(then back to looking at
them) But let me ask you this—what’s the point of great exam results if you lose touch with who you
are? Our festivals are not just about celebration; they’re about connection—connection to your roots,
your people, and your values."

thoufique(shrugging): "All that sounds great, sir. But I still think I’ll get more ‘connection’ from my
Wi-Fi and textbooks than any festival."

Is that so ? In that case” With a sly grin, zuhair added, “Participation is mandatory. And
Every student must attend the event and get to know your roots!.”
prithvi : oh no.
The students were divided into five teams, each assigned a festival: Diwali, Christmas,
Navratri, New Year, and Pongal.

To accommodate the skeptical attitude. of prithvi, darshana, and thoufique were placed in a
neutral team labeled The Pragmatists.

_______________________________________
Scene 2: The Contest Begins

Tamizhini: The day of the contest arrived, and the classroom was transformed into a colorful
arena of celebration.

sanjeev:The day of the contest has finally come, and we wish all the teams the very best.
Let’s kick off this special event on a positive note with a sincere prayer(choir steps in)

shekinah: I believe we need to share some important updates to stay in tune with our ever-changing
world.Lets hear today’s news.

(news)

sanjeev: Before we dive into the festivities, let's take a moment to reflect and brighten our day with
some inspiring thoughts. Shall we?

(thought)

shekina: The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here! Students, it's your time to shine and
showcase your talents.

Scene 3: diwali

Tamizhini :The first team, Team Diwali, stepped forward. Their stage was adorned with
glowing diyas and rangoli designs (in ppt).

shreshtaa: "Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope in the
darkest times.It is the festival of lights, symbolizing hope, unity, and the victory of light over
darkness. It’s a time for families to bond, for communities to share joy, and for gratitude to be
expressed."

prithvi whispered to thoufique, “Hope and unity? Sounds nice, but let’s see how they pay
their electricity bills.”

dharshana (Mockingly) “What about the pollution from crackers? Isn’t your festival causing
more harm than good?”

saagarika: “We agree that traditions evolve. Many now celebrate with eco-friendly
alternatives. Diwali is not just about crackers—it’s about the light within us.”

I hope our mesmerizing dance will somehow lift your feeble spirits

thoufique(mockingly): we hope it does

(saagarika and shreshtha perform a classical dance )

________________________________________
Scene 4: Christmas Charm

Tamizhini:next came Team Christmas, their stage adorned with twinkling fairy lights and a
star-topped Christmas tree(in ppt)and Santa delivering gifts to a struggling family,

parthiv: "Christmas is about spreading love and kindness. It’s a reminder to help those in
need and embrace togetherness."

thoufique: “Love and kindness sound great, but why only on Christmas? Shouldn’t we be
kind every day?”

joyce: "Exactly! Christmas is a reminder of what we should practice all year round. It’s not
just a day—it’s a spirit."

come on , let's feel the spirits through music…(song eng)

________________________________________
Scene 5: Navratri's Rhythm

Tamizhini :Team Navratri began their presentation. Dressed in colorful traditional attire, they
performed an energetic Garba

(a garba dance takes place)

ashwika: "Navratri teaches perseverance and faith. The nine nights symbolize the triumph of
determination and devotion over challenges."

prithvi: “Nine nights of dancing? Who has time for that? Exams are around the corner.”

ashwika: "Navratri isn’t just about dance. It’s about rejuvenation—of mind, body, and spirit.
Sometimes, stepping away from stress helps us perform better."

________________________________________

Scene 6: New Year’s Promise

(Team New Year entered with a giant clock countdown - (ppt) and colorful banners. people
making resolutions, - maybe humorous or inspiring)

hanish: "New Year represents hope and fresh starts. It’s a chance to reflect, learn, and
grow."

thoufique - “resolutions? U mean promises right? Forget that i can't even maintain a simple
promise to not eat sweets for 1 day and you expect me to follow a promise for a YEAR?

darshana: “wait with that being said , you wait an entire year to start improving? Sounds
inefficient.”
hanish: "It’s not about waiting; it’s about taking a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come
and set meaningful goals for the future."

________________________________________

Scene 7: Pongal's Gratitude

Tamizhini :Team Pongal’s turn.

A village scenery with farmers, cows, and a pot of boiling sweet Pongal (ppt).

kaviya : "Pongal is a thanksgiving festival. It’s about respecting the hands that feed us and
valuing our connection to the earth."

Dharshana :“So instead of upgrading farming methods, we should just pray to cows?”,where
is gratitude in that??

kaviya: Prayers don’t replace progress.as u see Traditions and progress aren’t opposites.
Pongal teaches us to appreciate the roots of our sustenance ,teach us gratitude, without
which progress is hollow.”while we innovate for the future." – (meera proceeds to show
silambam )

________________________________________

Scene 8: The Argument

Tamizhini :After all the presentations, the teams gathered .

The Team Pragmatists stepped forward with their final critique.

prithvi: "What’s the point of celebrating festivals? They’re a distraction. Study and work—
that’s what matters. Who cares about rituals and traditions when our future depends on
exams?"

shreshtaa (Diwali): "A, do you realize that without understanding our past, we lose our
identity? Festivals connect us to our history and keep our values alive."

Without festivals, life becomes mechanical. They remind us of the values that make us
human

parthiv (Christmas): "Festivals are not distractions—they’re reminders to balance work with
joy. Life isn’t just about results; it’s about relationships."

kaviya (Pongal): "Ignoring traditions is like cutting off a tree’s roots. Without them, the tree of
progress can’t stand tall."

________________________________________

Scene 9: A Lesson Learned

Tamizhini: the teacher enters to illuminate the bickering students

Mr. zuhair: "Children, our rituals and traditions aren’t obstacles; they’re treasures passed
down by generations. They teach us values, foster unity, and give meaning to our lives. It’s
not about choosing between culture and progress—it’s about embracing both."

"Take Pongal, for example. It teaches gratitude—a value that’s slipping away in today’s fast-
paced world. It also reminds us to honor the hands that feed us, from farmers to nature itself.
Diwali reminds us that even in the darkest times, there’s light within us. It also encourages
us to reflect on our actions and start anew.

Navratri, with its vibrant celebrations, teaches resilience and devotion, symbolizing the
triumph of good over evil. It also reminds us of the importance of determination and effort in
every aspect of life. Christmas, on the other hand, is a celebration of love and giving,
encouraging us to uplift others and find joy in sharing, while also teaching us to pause and
appreciate the blessings we often take for granted. And New Year? It’s a moment of
renewal, urging us to let go of the past and embrace the future with hope and purpose, while
reminding us that each day is a new opportunity to grow."

"These lessons are timeless, woven into our festivals to guide us through life’s journey."

________________________________________

tamizhini:
"Children of our society are at risk of losing their connection to culture, as parents prioritize
careers over traditions. But it’s time we remember: our rituals are not a burden—they’re a
bridge to our humanity and identity. Festivals bring joy, unity, and gratitude to our lives. Let
us preserve them, not as relics, but as treasures."I hope you enjoyed watching this contest , and
learning the best of it.