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.
