Gala Night
What a day!
The day started off with a lovely breakfast including a variety of different options for us. We then went to the Nivedita Bhavan to observe the Shivaratri Puja where they encouraged us pray (for our future husbands!) and witness their rituals. After that we began practising the dances with both the boys and girls which was very tiring.
Before we knew it we were getting ready for the gala, doing our hair and make-up and then spending a lot of time getting on our sarees with the help of Adrija, Gita and Sukhalata. We then went downstairs to the dining hall which was beautifully decorated and prepared for the gala. The children started to fill the whole hall giving us waves and smiles whilst finally being able to see our sarees. The gala started to take place with dances from the lower and upper boys and girls leaving us amazed by their dancing skills. Then there was the first ever dance from the Udayan staff – the house brothers, house mothers and Udayan Vidyalaya teachers had everyone buzzing with energy and prepared to see the dance that they all waited for.
Our dance started off with everyone believing we were doing the macarena (that they always do every year) but from the music starting to change we began to dance our first piece as a team. Liam’s quick change of outfits then had us dancing with the boys and then the girls. In addition to his duet with one of the boys and then finishing with a group dance leaving everyone in awe and filling the hall with claps and shouting because of how unique our performance turned out to be.
After the gala we were surprised with a buffet on the rooftop including foods that we all have missed such as chicken pakoras/nuggets and wedges. In between the courses we danced with everyone including the staff to a variety of songs giving the rooftop a joyful atmosphere especially when we were all singing ‘Since you’ve been gone’ one of our favourites. After today’s events it’s made many of us want to stay longer or even come back to Udayan because of its constant joy and showing us a positive, free spirited side of ourselves that we never existed. This is the affect of being surrounded by all the children, seeing how happy they always are no matter the moment they’re in.
