Celebration of World Music Day and International Yoga Day

On July 5, 2023, a programme was organized by the first-year students of the Department of B. Ed., Loreto College, Kolkata to celebrate World Music Day and International Yoga Day. The theme for this year was “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

The celebration began with the lighting of the lamp and a prayer service. After a brief introduction about World Music Day, the students presented the Indian classical song Shiv Strotam, the folk song Manush bhojle shonar manush hobi, and Michael Jackson’s anthem of peace Heal the World. This was followed by an audio-visual presentation on how music is deeply integrated with nature. The beauty of nature’s musical gift was illustrated through a video of the whistling village of Kongthong, Meghalaya. Kongthong’s remarkable preservation of their tradition exemplified the power of music to foster harmony within oneself and the community. To conclude the celebration of World Music Day, all the students came together to present the class song Wavin' Flag.

The commencement of the celebration of International Yoga Day was marked by a peaceful chanting of “Om” three times. The participants demonstrated different yoga poses such as Surya Namaskar, Konasana, Dhanurasana, and Chakrasana. The final formation was a beautiful amalgamation of various asanas or postures involving all the participants. The demonstrations were accompanied by enriching explanations of the benefits of each asana as well as the precautions to take while practising the postures.

The programme motivated the teacher-trainees to reflect on the way in which music could create a sense of connection with the larger consciousness. They also gained a deeper understanding of how the practice of yoga promotes holistic well-being.