AMITY-UNESCO RESULT
Answer: (Jarawa in Andaman, Lepcha in Sikkim,Jaunsari in Uttarakhand, Kondh in Orissa,
Bodo in Assam, Khasi in Meghalaya, Gond in Madhya Pradesh, Gaddi in Himachal Pradesh,
Rabari in Gujarat, Bhil in Rajasthan)
From Beginning To End, Colour White Embraces Human Life
Namya Jain, XI F & Teesta Chakraborty, XII F, AIS PV
“I don’t like this white shirt, Maa. It is so dull; I wish to wear my bright yellow shirt.’’ Hearing this, white broke down. Orange, pained by his friend’s turmoil enquired, “Why are you so sad? Is it because of Rohan?” White who had long borne the brunt of taunts about his dullness, had a lot to vent…
“It’s not just Rohan but there are so many like him who stay aloof from me, without even realising that I reflect every phase of their life. Do they even realise how each one of them is wrapped in my soft embrace as they take birth. To protect them, to nurture them, to soothe them, I am used. As the journey of life continues, I am an omnipresent entity. The Greeks and Romans adorned their deities in fabrics and dyes of my colour and the walls of their mighty cities were painted with my calming presence. On the palettes of great artists, from DaVinci to Picasso, I took the form of titanium oxide. Their canvases were awash with my splendour, small highlights on cheeks and towering mountains capped with snow.
On joyous occasions such as weddings, the bride and groom tie the knot of marriage dipped in me. The reason why I stand at the forefront of the tying together of two souls can be traced back to Queen Victoria of England, who chose me as the shade of her wedding gown, thus inspiring centuries of fashion. Moreover, my divinity is the bridge connecting man to master.
From Catholics to Jains, people wrap me around their chests as they chant and pray. The subtle harmony that I offer quietly preserves the faith of fathers long lost.
There is no culture where I have not been used as a symbol of harmony and peace. My presence has been felt from the baroque ceilings of churches in France to prehistoric cave paintings in Egypt. Each person, from dawn of humanity to its inevitable dusk, has sought the comfort of my light, clean, and calming aura. As the Christians believe my purity to signify the virgin bride, many Asian cultures use me to promise their deceased loved ones a peaceful afterlife. Thus, hundreds of grief-stricken individuals stand around the body of a man who has been covered in me many times. Globally, to stop wars, the solution was to raise a white flag and to spread the message of peace, there was white dove.
In fact, there is no colour quite as ubiquitous as one that has been forged from the spectrum of all shades. As the rainbow coalesces into one, I am birthed – a shade so pure and empyrean, all the universe’s colours intertwined to give me life. Jubilant beginnings and their predestined endings, all find me as the sole, eternally present constant in a cosmos of unknowns. I am alabaster, the shade of virtue. I am White, the eternal shade of human life.
Melodious meaning
Album review
Synopsis: Aalas Ka Pedh is the debut album of the band, featuring nine tracks, that deals with the theme of the life experiences of the artist. The album is a collection of their pre-released songs which are all inspired by the band members’ personal experiences over the years. Through the album, the members come together to explain why life serves as the biggest inspiration of all. With its infectious melodies, honest lyrics, and raw energy, the album resonates deeply with young listeners, catapulting the band to national recognition and establishing them as a leading voice in the Indian indie rock scene. The album, overall, seems phenomenal and makes the listener want to put it on repeat.
Why is it worth listening: The songs in the album are successful in touching the listeners’ heart and rejuvenating them, painting a vivid picture of young lives navigating love, dreams, and everyday struggle in a fast-paced world. The songs have the power to heal you when you are feeling low and are struggling to face the challenges of life head-on. These songs would keep you company under a starry night, making you wonder about either being a care-free youth or reminiscing about it. All nine tracks pulsate with energy, driven by the band’s signature brand of alternative rock with influences of blues and folk, thus becoming a must-listen for everyone.
Favourite song: My favourite song from this album is Choo Lo. It will always have a special place in my heart as it touches my soul and connects me with my memories. The lyrics and the tune of this song make me want to listen to it on loop. It has the power to cure me, to motivate me to have a never-giving-up spirit, and makes me want to learn something new every day and step out of my comfort zone.
Rating: 4/5
Review by: Aditi Gupta
AIS Vasundhara 1, XII B