See this Instagram photo by @ https://www.instagram.com/p/CYwibMsMARi/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Tantia High School is one of the most important part of our past. We are highly influenced by the teachings of our committed teachers, love of our friends and batchmates, activities in the school and most importantly by our great principal I D Singh. Disclaimer : Nothing is fictitous , nothing is co incidental
Monday, 11 November 2019
Tiffin Time of Tantia High School
See this Instagram photo by @ https://www.instagram.com/p/CYwibMsMARi/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Wednesday, 6 November 2019
Memoirs of our school Breaks
During our school days, we had
two short breaks and one tiffin break that we eagerly looked forward to. The
first break came after the second period in the morning, and the second one
followed the seventh period, just before the final class of the day. Each break
lasted around 10 minutes—brief but always refreshing and much needed.
- Sharing jokes—ranging from silly to wildly
inappropriate—with close friends.
- Catching up with friends from other sections.
- Sneaking in comic books, despite school rules
strictly forbidding them.
- Gossiping about teachers and inventing hilarious
nicknames or impersonations.
- Peeking through classroom windows to spy on others.
- Chatting with school peons and playfully teasing
them.
Our peons (office boys) were quite the characters: Satyanarayan (a
notorious troublemaker), Pandey, Shaw Ji, Suraj,
and Kishori Lal—each with their own quirks and stories.
The second break was
even more action-packed. It was our time to:
- Play cricket or other games right inside the
classroom.
- Aim chalk pieces at students sipping tea and
munching toast at Sheetal Toast—a legendary snack shop. The
toast was unforgettable, and even today, I make it a point to visit
whenever I’m nearby. His son runs the shop now and still remembers me
fondly.
- Occasionally, we’d hurl random abuses—just for
laughs.
- Dance in the classroom, using our mouths for music
and benches for drums. One of our classmates would mimic Madhuri Dixit
from Saajan, or Shilpa Shirodkar dancing in the rain (Kehni
thi ek baat...), while another friend would grab him like Mithun
Chakraborty in full dramatic flair.
- Sing together—4 or 5 boys belting out classics
like Aane Se Uske Aaye Bahaar from Jeene Ki Raah.
Though the song was from an earlier era, it was still a hit in the 1980s
and 1990s.
This break was also notorious for
settling scores. If someone had complained about us to a teacher, this was the
time for revenge. From Class V to VIII, our monitors, prefects, and captains
were often the party poopers—trying to enforce discipline and spoil our fun.
Some of them were truly annoying. I still remember their names, but now they
seem like elder brothers, and I can’t bring myself to curse them anymore.
By Class IX and X, we had become
fearless. No prefect or captain dared to challenge us.
From Class V to VIII, the last
period was usually reserved for additional subjects like General Knowledge or
Moral Science. Since marks weren’t counted, teachers rarely taught seriously.
But after 1994, the rules changed—if someone scored above 34, the marks would
be added, which made things a bit more serious.
In Classes IX and X, the final
periods became important—subjects like Hindi, History, Bookkeeping, and
Additional Mathematics demanded our full attention. And yes, we did study
seriously.
Even today, I miss those breaks
deeply.
Do you?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
https://advertisingpublicity.blogspot.com/
Monday, 23 September 2019
BHULE NA BHULAYE - Class VII Hindi Story Book of Tantia High School (भूले ना भुलाये - कक्षा सात की कहाँ की किताब )
Saturday, 4 May 2019
Antakshari: A Cherished Tradition at Tantia High School
Antakshari was one of the most beloved inter-house
competitions at Tantia High School. It wasn’t just a fun event—it was a
celebration of music, teamwork, and school spirit. Every year, between the
first and second term examinations, the school would come alive with excitement
as preparations for the Hindi Antakshari competition began.
We participated in six such competitions during our time
from Class V to Class X. Each year, the announcement would come about a month
in advance, and from that moment, the energy shifted. House teachers, students,
the Principal, and other faculty members would pour in serious effort to make
the event a grand success.
The anticipation was palpable. Rehearsals began, song lists
were curated, and strategies were discussed. It wasn’t just about winning—it
was about representing your house with pride and enjoying the spirit of healthy
competition.
The Selection Process
The first step was identifying the right candidates, and
this was never a challenge for the house teachers. They knew exactly which
students had the flair for public speaking, a love for Hindi poetry, or a knack
for singing. The selection process was thoughtful and fair, and typically
followed three key criteria:
- Academic
Excellence:
Top-ranking students from Classes V to X were often the first to be considered. Bright minds like Om Prakash Damani, Rabindra Agarwal, Manish Didwania, Dinesh Vyas, Ramakant Holani, Vinod Singh Rathore, Ajay Singhi, and Nigmanand Ojha were obvious choices—known for their intellect and discipline. - Musical
Talent:
Students who frequently sang in class—especially film songs and bhajans—were also shortlisted. Teachers had a keen ear and would often listen in during free periods (as long as I.D. Singh wasn’t on his school rounds!). They knew exactly who could earn points with their voice. - Poetic
Memory & Oration:
Those who could memorize and recite Hindi poems with flair were highly valued. The final group was a diverse mix—some were academic stars, others were gifted singers, and a few were simply passionate performers. But one thing united them all: a strong determination to give their best.
Typically, 8 to 9 boys were selected for
initial preparation, but only 4 from each house made it to the
final stage. That meant 16 students would take the stage to
represent their houses in the grand event.
House Teachers and Their Styles
Each house teacher had a unique approach to selection:
- Shivaji
House – S.K. Bhattacharya
A strict selector, he often invited students from Classes V to VII but ultimately favored those from Classes VIII to X. He was known for telling juniors, “You’ll get your chance next year,” while always keeping a reliable backup team ready. - Vidyasagar
House – S.P. Pandey
More liberal in his choices, he preferred juniors from Classes VI to VIII who could charm the judges and captivate the audience. - Raman
House – A. Pandey
Less involved in inter-house affairs, he leaned on senior students but was fortunate to have talented orators like Pawan Bhatia and Dheeraj Khattry. - Pratap
House – R. Singh First
Known for his unwavering loyalty to Manish Didwania, who never disappointed. Singh was firm in his belief that Manish was the best choice for any competition—except sports!
Unforgettable Personalities
- Dheeraj
Khattry
A surprise star in 1988, Dheeraj was short in stature but big in presence. With mischievous charm and captivating delivery, he quickly became a favorite. His elder brother Vikash was our batchmate, and Dheeraj went on to shine in Antakshari, debates, and other school events. - Pawan
Bhatia
A permanent fixture in the Raman House team, Pawan’s rise to fame came unexpectedly. During a Hindi debate in 1987, a power outage disrupted the event—no lights, no microphones, and rising heat. As the audience lost interest, Pawan stepped up and delivered his speech without a mic, projecting his voice so powerfully that the entire hall fell silent and listened. He won first prize that day—not just for his speech, but for his courage and presence. Later, he joined me in the daily prayer team on stage.
These stories are more than just memories—they’re reminders
of the spirit, camaraderie, and creativity that defined our school years. The
Antakshari competition wasn’t just about winning—it was about discovering
talent, building confidence, and creating moments that would stay with us for
life.
The Grand Stage
All 16 selected participants—four from each
house—would take their places on stage, seated behind the special invitees. The
event always began with S.K. Mishra, our ever-reliable compère. A
man of few rewards but immense responsibility, he was the Principal’s first and
last choice to anchor every school program. His role as sutradhar was
consistent, year after year.
He would begin by inviting:
- The Principal to
the stage.
- Mr.
K.N. Singh First, our senior-most History teacher.
- Two
judges—our revered Hindi teachers N.N. Mishra and K.P.
Mishra—whose seats were placed strategically to observe the
performers.
These two were legends in teaching Hindi, though their
strict and formal style often made the subject intimidating rather than
enjoyable. They could have made Hindi more engaging, but perhaps they saw that
as beneath their scholarly stature.
Every year, S.K. Mishra would also
invite Mr. K. Pandey, a retired teacher known for his encyclopedic
memory of poems. A former Mathematics and Physics teacher, his love for the
school kept him returning as a guest judge. His presence added gravitas to the
event.
Rules of the Competition
- Each
house could field a maximum of four participants.
- No
student could recite more than four poems.
- Each
poem had a time limit of 3–4 minutes.
- Film
songs were strictly prohibited.
- Participants
had to begin by stating their name and house.
- Though
S.K. Mishra always requested the audience not to clap, applause was
inevitable for standout performances.
Moments of Fun and Drama
- Some
students forgot their poems mid-performance, leading to
penalties and lost points for their house.
- Objections from
rival houses were common—especially around the rule that the next poem
must begin with the last letter of the previous one. This was a hotbed for
manipulation.
One memorable incident involved Dheeraj Khattry from Raman
House, who began a humorous poem with:
“Gadhe hi gadhe hain, udhar bhi gadhe hain...”
But the correct starting line was:
“Idhar bhi gadhe hain, udhar bhi gadhe hain...”
He was stopped mid-recitation, and another student took
over. However, Dheeraj returned the following year and completed the poem to
roaring applause.
The judges, being purists, rarely favored junior students.
They valued pronunciation, oratory skill, and poetic depth over
popularity.
Standout Performers
- Ajay
Singhi from Shivaji House impressed N.N.
Mishra with his mastery of Gadyatmak Kavya—modern
Hindi poetry that’s spoken rather than sung. He won the individual
first prize in 1991, helping Shivaji House clinch victory.
- Anshuman
Singh from Pratap House recited:
“Ranbhir chaukri bhar bhar ke Chetak ban gaya nirala
tha...”
His powerful delivery earned him a spot in the daily
prayer team, selected by Pawan Bhatia.
- Om
Prakash Damani, a brilliant student, was known for his flawless memory
and poetic recitation.
- Rabindra
Agarwal, Vinod Singh Rathore, and Damani were
favorites of both S.K. Mishra and N.N. Mishra,
winning multiple prizes for Shivaji and Raman
Houses.
- Vidyasagar
House struggled to make an impact. In 1990, Nigmanand
Ojha fell ill during the competition and was replaced by Krishna
Bihari Ojha, but the house couldn’t recover that year.
Poems That Left a Mark
Some of the most frequently recited and admired poems
included:
- “Himalaya” by Ramdhari
Singh Dinkar
- “Kalam
Aur Talwar” by Dinkar
- “Din
Jaldi Jaldi Dhalta Hai” by Harivansh Rai Bachchan
The Results and the Restlessness
Once all performances concluded, the judges took about 30
minutes to finalize the scores. Meanwhile, students had to endure
speeches from the Principal and Mr. K. Pandey on
the importance of poetry. By then, patience wore thin, and the crowd grew
restless.
S.K. Mishra, despite his eloquence, rarely got the
chance to deliver a full speech. He was the glue that held the event together,
but he knew well—students only wanted to hear the results.
The score sheets, prepared by the judges, were handed over
to the school’s permanent auditors—D.N. Jha and Y. Singh. Their
integrity was never in question; we always felt the scoring was fair.
Finally, S.K. Mishra would announce:
- Third
Place
- Second
Place
- First
Place
The winning house would bask in glory—not just on that day,
but for weeks to come. Discussions about performances, speakers, and prizes
would echo through the corridors.
The True Purpose of Antakshari
Beyond competition, Antakshari aimed to:
- Introduce
students to great Hindi poetry.
- Cultivate interest
and appreciation for literature.
- Encourage confidence,
expression, and creativity.
These events left behind a treasure trove of memories—and I
look forward to sharing more.
A Poem on Bhasha
The Poem is written by Dr. Ram Prahlad Choudhary, one of the ex- Teachers of Tantia High School. Hope you will like it.

-
ॐ विश्वानि देव सवितर्दुरितानि परासुव*। *यद् भद्रं तन्न आ सुव* ॐ हिरण्यगर्भः समवर्तताग्रे भूतस्य जातः पतिरेकासीत । स दाधार पृथ्वीं ध्यामुतेम...
-
टांटिया हाई स्कूल ने हमेशा मूल्य आधारित शिक्षा प्रदान करने का प्रयास किया है। कक्षा V में, हम बाल रामायण पढ़ते थे और कक्षा VII में हमारे पास...
-
A Tribute to J K Singh – A Teacher Who Inspired a Lifelong Journey The full name of J K Singh was "Jhar Khande Singh." It was a pe...