Little Krishnas, Big Lessons: MP Schools Celebrate Janmashtami
From Dinkar’s poetry and classical dance to Matki Phod, creative activities and environmental lessons, schools across Madhya Pradesh are giving Janmashtami a distinctly educational flavour.
Indore: Janmashtami brought colour, music and little Krishnas to school campuses across Madhya Pradesh, but the celebrations were not limited to costumes and Matki Phod. Schools used the festival to introduce students to Indian traditions, mythology and values through performances, storytelling, music and hands-on activities.
New Digambar Public School puts literature at the centre
At New Digambar Public School, Indore, the festival was presented through a strong mix of literature, music and performing arts. The programme included Jai Radha Madhav Jai Madan Murari, followed by national poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s Shri Krishna Ki Chetavani, bringing Krishna’s message of peace, humanity and harmony into focus.
A live flute medley, including Achyutam Keshavam, a classical dance based on Krishna Kalapam, an English presentation titled From Prison to Protector of Dharma and Krishna Naam Sankirtan by teachers added variety. Matki Phod provided an energetic finale.
Chairperson Sindhu Sudhakar Mendke, Principal Winston Gomez and Manager D.M. Thokar attended the programme. Mendke urged students to take Krishna’s values into everyday life and follow the path of righteousness.
“The message of Lord Krishna remains relevant because it reminds us to follow the righteous path.”
— Sindhu Sudhakar Mendke, Chairperson, New Digambar Public School
The programme also gave students a chance to approach Krishna through different forms of expression rather than through a single stage performance. Poetry, music, classical dance and discussion worked together to make the celebration both cultural and reflective.
Advanced Academy blends story, stage and participation
At Advanced Academy, Indore, the festival became a mix of storytelling and participation. After prayers, the sound of the shankh and ceremonial lamp lighting, students dressed as Kanhas, Radhas, Gopas and Gopis presented a Gita shloka, a Krishna Makhan Chori skit, a Radha-Krishna presentation and dance performances. Matki Phod brought the celebration to a lively close.
Principal Usha Kiran Tomar appreciated the students’ enthusiastic participation, while Director Timsi Rai praised their confidence, teamwork and dedication. She encouraged the children to carry the values of love, kindness and compassion into their everyday lives.
What made the programme stand out was its balance between learning and performance. Children were not simply dressed as characters from Krishna’s story; they were given opportunities to speak, perform, work together and understand the values behind the celebration.
SICA celebrations keep tradition close
At SICA School, Scheme No. 78, Indore, Class 1 students presented a Krishna bhajan, a drama depicting his childhood, devotional songs and dances, followed by Matki Phod. HM Girija Kumar and AHM Chaitali Sharma encouraged the young performers.
The celebration introduced the children to values associated with Krishna, including love, compassion, courage, truth and righteousness, while giving the youngest participants a chance to experience Indian cultural traditions through performance.
At SICA Senior Secondary School, Nipania, celebrations opened with a Rath Yatra featuring Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. Gita shlokas, Rasleela, Odissi, devotional music and a classical dance drama followed.
The Primary Wing’s Jhanki depicted Krishna’s birth, childhood Bal Leela, Makhan Chor episodes and Ras Leela. Dahi Handi, Matki Phod, Maha Aarti, Jhula and Chhappan Bhog marked the finale.
Principal Rajini Upreti spoke about Krishna’s teachings as a guide for life, while chief guest Suresh Iyer, Trustee, SICA Educational Trust, highlighted duty, righteousness and truth.
Vice-Principal Smita Bhagwat, Headmistresses Champa Bhattacharjee and Sonal Khanna, and AHM Balvatika Chhavi Saxena were also present.
At SICA-54 Balvatika, Indore, tiny tots portrayed Krishna and Radha through dance and costumes, with Matki Phod as the highlight. Chairman Kaartik Shastri, Principal Jaya Chakravarty, Vice-Principal Prachi Garg, HM Primary Ravi Kalavati, HM Balvatika Leena Sebastian and AHM Balvatika Aarti Mishra encouraged the children.
Creativity takes centre stage at Shree Chaitanya
Shree Chaitanya Techno School, Khandwa Road, Indore, brought a hands-on element to the festival. Students decorated pots and flutes with colours, mirrors, beads and glitter, alongside dance, singing and Matki Phod.
Principal Kirti Chaturvedi highlighted truth, love and devotion, giving the celebration a simple message that children could connect with beyond the festivities.
Sharda Vidya Mandir links Krishna with nature
At Sharda Vidya Mandir, Barkhedikalan, Bhopal, a fancy-dress event brought young Radhas and Krishnas to the campus. Students spoke about Krishna’s childhood and symbols associated with him, including cows, the flute, peacock feathers, Govardhan Hill, Matki Phod and Makhan-Mishri.
The school also connected Janmashtami with environmental conservation. Krishna’s association with nature became a starting point for discussing the importance of protecting the environment.
Parents appreciated the effort to combine cultural learning, creativity, confidence-building and environmental awareness rather than keeping the event limited to a conventional celebration.
Delhi World Public School keeps the celebration colourful
At Delhi World Public School, Betma, Indore, students took part in Krishna-Radha dress-up activities and presented devotional songs, dances and cultural performances. The programme centred on values of love, compassion and righteousness.
For the younger students, the combination of costumes, music and stage performances offered an accessible way to learn about Krishna while participating in the festival themselves.
Watch the accompanying video published on September 3, 2026 on the Tina Khatri YouTube channel.
What the celebrations reveal about school festivals
Across these schools, Janmashtami was more than a dress-up day. The celebrations showed how traditional festivals can become useful learning opportunities when children are encouraged to participate rather than simply watch.
A poem can become a lesson in peace. A Jhanki can become storytelling. A flute-decoration activity can become creative learning. Matki Phod can demand teamwork. Krishna’s connection with nature can open a conversation about conservation.
That approach also gives children something that a textbook cannot easily provide: the chance to perform, collaborate, create and interpret.
For schools, the challenge is to keep the cultural meaning intact while making the experience relevant to children. The Janmashtami celebrations across these MP campuses suggest that many are already finding that balance.
From celebration to learning
The common thread running through the programmes was clear: celebrate the festival, but understand what it stands for.
Whether through Dinkar’s poetry at New Digambar Public School, storytelling and stage work at Advanced Academy, traditional performances at SICA, creative activities at Shree Chaitanya Techno School, environmental learning at Sharda Vidya Mandir or devotional performances at Delhi World Public School, the festival gave students different ways to engage with the same cultural story.
And perhaps that is the more interesting story behind this year’s celebrations: the Matki may be broken in a moment, but the lessons built around it can stay with a child much longer.
Editorial note: This report is compiled from information and programme details supplied by the participating schools. Names, designations, performances and activities have been retained from the material provided for this report. The accompanying video was published on September 3, 2026 on the Tina Khatri YouTube channel.