Participants take part in the online bhajan singing competition organised by DAV Girls College on the occasion of Janmashtami.
18 college students from Ambala, Yamunanagar, Chandigarh and other districts participate in a devotional music event
PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK YAMUNANAGAR
The Music Department and Women Cell of DAV Girls College jointly organised an online bhajan singing competition on the occasion of Janmashtami, bringing together students from colleges across several districts. The competition provided young singers with a platform to showcase their musical talent while celebrating the spiritual and cultural significance of the festival dedicated to Lord Krishna.
A total of 18 participants from colleges in Ambala, Yamunanagar, Chandigarh, Karnal and other districts took part in the online competition. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, who presented devotional compositions through their performances and demonstrated their interest in music and Indian cultural traditions.
The competition was conducted under the leadership of Dr Neeta Dwivedi, Head of the Music Department, and Dr Meenakshi Saini, Convener of the Women Cell. Both faculty members presided over the programme and encouraged students to participate actively in cultural and artistic activities organised by the college.
The organisers said that events based on Indian traditions and devotional music provide students with an opportunity to remain connected with the country’s rich cultural heritage while developing their artistic abilities. The online format also enabled students from different institutions and districts to participate without the need to travel, thereby widening the reach of the competition.
The performances were evaluated by a panel comprising Associate Professor Vivek from the Department of Commerce and Associate Professor Lovely Raj from the Department of English. The jury assessed the participants on the basis of their musical presentation and overall performance before finalising the results.
After evaluation, Pooja Rawat of Government Post Graduate College, Chandigarh, secured the first position in the competition. Yuvraj of S.D. College, Ambala Cantt, won the second position, while Pragati of Guru Nanak Girls College secured the third position.
The organisers also recognised participants who performed well but could not secure a position among the top three. Gurusa of S.D. College, Ambala Cantt, Mahak and Nancy of DAV Girls College, and Shivani of Government College, Indri, were awarded consolation prizes for their performances.
The results reflected the diversity of talent among the participating students and added an encouraging dimension to the Janmashtami celebrations. By recognising performers across different institutions, the event also promoted healthy competition and motivated students to continue developing their musical skills.
The online bhajan competition formed part of the college’s efforts to combine academic activities with cultural engagement. Such programmes give students opportunities to express themselves beyond the classroom and help strengthen qualities such as confidence, creativity, discipline and stage presentation.
The involvement of the Women Cell also highlighted the importance of providing students with platforms where they can participate in artistic, cultural and co-curricular activities. The initiative encouraged students to make constructive use of their talents and take an active role in institutional programmes.
Faculty members associated with the event also played an important role in coordinating the competition and ensuring its smooth conduct. Dr Parmesh Kumar, Dr Shikha, Manika Sethi and Neelam contributed to the successful organisation of the programme.
The organisers appreciated the participation of students from different colleges and acknowledged the efforts of the faculty members and jury. They said such competitions help create an engaging educational environment in which students can develop their interests while also gaining exposure to cultural traditions.
Janmashtami celebrations often provide educational institutions with an opportunity to highlight the values and traditions associated with Lord Krishna’s life and teachings. Through devotional music, students can explore an important aspect of India’s cultural heritage while presenting their creativity in a contemporary format.
The online format of the competition also demonstrated how educational institutions can use digital platforms to conduct cultural programmes and connect participants from different locations. With students joining from Chandigarh, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal and other districts, the event created a wider platform for interaction and participation.
For the participating students, the competition offered more than an opportunity to win prizes. It provided them with a chance to present their talent before an external audience, receive recognition and gain confidence in their abilities. The selection of winners and consolation prize recipients also reflected the competitive spirit of the programme.
The Music Department and Women Cell’s joint initiative thus brought together education, culture and technology in a single programme. The event added a devotional and artistic dimension to the college’s Janmashtami celebrations while encouraging students to remain connected with Indian music and cultural traditions.
With 18 participants representing colleges from multiple districts, the competition emerged as a meaningful platform for promoting devotional music and student talent. The successful conduct of the programme was supported by the faculty members involved in its planning, evaluation and coordination.
