To learn more or apply for admissions in the academic year 2026–27. Click here
To learn more or apply for admissions in the academic year 2026–27. Click here
To learn more or apply for admissions in the academic year 2026–27. Click here
To learn more or apply for admissions in the academic year 2026–27. Click here
To learn more or apply for admissions in the academic year 2026–27. Click here
To learn more or apply for admissions in the academic year 2026–27. Click here
DRAMA AS AN ELECTIVE, OR AN INFORMED CHOICE? Saroop Oommen – Head of Department, Music & Drama
The ICSE Drama Elective for STD 9 & 10 is an amazing opportunity for those children who have the itch for the Stage and even for those who rather be behind the scenes. Writers, orators, singers, musicians, actors, sculptors, art lovers, visualizers, fashion enthusiasts and even technology aficionados will find themselves at home at Drama Class. It’s also a welcome break, bang in the middle of a busy day from the other subjects and deadlines. In fact, there’s spill over in this too – when the students find an avenue to be creative and to excel in the Drama theory topics and activities, the urge to pursue excellence in other subjects, comes by default. Don’t quote me on this, but I’ve seen this play-out, more than often. Personally, when I was in school (not so long ago J) the study & exam regime just did not seem to work out well for me. My patient teachers nudged me forward, but not without instances of them wondering which box I was trying to fit into! Wish I had a course like the Drama elective back then! So, every day I remind the children that THEY ARE SO, SO PRIVILEGED to have a Course like this at Bethany High, and that it will fuel their lives forever! Here are some endorsements from a few of the past Drama students.
GANA PRIYA V – ICSE 2015
So to start off, I was one these reserved, ‘invisible kids’ at School. I never took part in any of the events, so obviously
everyone thought I was only capable of studying and honestly I thought the same.
I still remember one day, Saroop Sir just heard me talk and pointed out that I had a good “radio voice”, but I did brush it off at that moment. It was almost months later, there was an MC audition in my college (Jain University) and suddenly I remembered what Sir had said, and decided to give it a shot. To my surprise, I actually did really well and ended up being spot-selected to host an intercollegiate Fest! It was honestly surreal for me. I was apparently selected for my spontaneity and confidence which are two skills that I developed during Drama classes. That year I went on to become the President of the college’s science forum competing with some of the most talented candidates. I also hosted 3 other Fests the following year. The Drama Elective is not just about acting and theatre, but it’s more about exploring your hidden talents. It helps you get rid of your insecurities and stage fright which naturally makes you a more confident personality. I was awarded “BEST FEMALE COMPERER OF THE YEAR” on my graduation which was a really proud moment for me. Who even thought, that the invisible girl from school could go out there and host public Shows. Drama classes really helped me get in touch with my talents and encouraged me to go out there and grab on to my dreams. If it wasn’t for the Drama elective, I would have probably lived life in a cave, full of my insecurities.
Bethany musicals leave a lasting impact on students! The whole journey of rehearsals and live performances, becomes a launch pad for their personalities to metamorphose into confidant, passionate humans. NIKIL ANGELO – ICSE 2016
My passion for Drama started in 6th, when I auditioned for the first time for the musical Aladdin, with Miriam Ma’am. I got into the main cast which was a huge thing for me as it was my first time. Ever since then, I started involving myself a lot in any theatrical events in school. After all this I took up Drama as my elective in 9th & 10th. In Drama I learned so much which I hadn’t known about theatre and drama, right from Greek Theatre to lights and sound on stage which was taught to us by Mr. Saroop. I learned so much in these two years about drama that I was very keen on taking up something related to this field for my Degree. After two years of PUC at S. Josephs, where I was still active as the Vice President of the Drama club, I decided to take up theatre studies for my Bachelors. I’m currently a student of TEP (Theatre studies, English and Psychology) in Christ university. And if I was to look back as to where I got this urge to take up Drama, it was thanks to that beautiful Drama elective during my ICSE and the Musicals at Bethany.
GEORGE VJ – ISC 2018
The Music & Drama department at Bethany was a safe place and very much like home to me. I used to hang out there a lot any chance I got. Being the Cultural convenor during my year at Junior College, also helped tremendously and set me on the path of success and guided me towards SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia, USA). The constant support and love of the Music department staff, during after school drama classes and ‘Madagascar- the Musical’ were one of the reasons I am able to pursue my dream and passion for acting with unmatched confidence, excitement and zest for hard work.
PROJECT: The Drama Elective also requires the students to prepare for a Project submission of either a STAGECRAFT or ACTING, which carries 50% of their ICSE scores for Drama. It has to be presented before an External Examiner who can ask anything or everything from the chosen scene! Which means the children have to be prepared to defend their choices, verbalise their passions and present their Project in a professional, confidant manner!
NANDITA U.S – ICSE 2018
Choosing drama as a subject is one of the best decisions I’ve taken as a student. Not only did I get exposure to an intriguing subject, but drama also shaped me in so many different ways. I became a more confident person and my performing skills enhanced. (Also a Bharatnatyam dancer.) The monologue of ‘Ophelia’ which I had prepared for my ICSE Project, bagged me a spot in ‘Fresher’s Day’ of my college (Jyothi Nivas College) and also the winner’s trophy in an inter-Collegiate Fest. A lot of what I have to offer now, as a performer is a product of what I have learnt as a Drama student!
As a Teacher, I feel extremely privileged to be able to be there to nudge the students forward and most of them artistically bent students will appear a little bent, compared to the others. Usually that little limp, will work out to be the unique strength that propels them forward later and through life!
In this article, we take a look amongst the many schools in Bangalore why Bethany High is considered a school with the best music department in Bangalore.
Music is the most potent instrument than any other for education -Plato
If one were to play a word association game, the first word that may pop up at the mention of Bethany is the word music. So deeply ingrained is the love of music in Bethany. Music is an inseparable part of every single event at Bethany. The music department is frantically busy the whole year through preparing the students for songs…be it for assemblies, elaborate prize days, choral recitations and numerous other events both in the school or outside it. The auditorium constantly resonates with the charged atmosphere of a hundred voices joined together in singing and most times accompanied by dance and movement as well.
There should be music in a child’s environment just as there exists in a child’s environment spoken speech –Maria Montessori, this couldn’t be more true of Bethany.
Apart from numerous activities which are packed into the school year like debates, talent hunt, mono acting, quizzes, sports events, lit fests which play an integral role in the all-round development of a child at Bethany, there is no doubt that music plays the most important role. One may be up on stage or seated in the audience when the singing simply envelopes everyone into its fold. It is nothing new to a Bethanite since they have been habituated to this right from the pre-nursery classes.
The music teachers are so tuned to spotting children who sing that even the littlest ones are trained to give a solo performance during their choral recitation programmes. The tremendous confidence that a child develops is unimaginable. The child grows up feeling absolutely comfortable to go up on stage and has no trace of stage fear whatsoever. Teachers who have been at Bethany for decades feel a deep sense of pride when they spot a child they have taught in the younger classes going on to perform so beautifully on stage.
The school choir is carefully handpicked by the music department as they go on to represent the school at various events both within the state and outside it. According to Saroop Oomen, our Bethany choir conductor, being a part of this choir is a tremendous opportunity for the child as the Bethany Choir is known to perform some wonderfully innovative pieces. Saroop is known to add a few quirks which leave the audience pleasantly surprised….. a tabla piece in between a song, a beautifully choreographed dance weaved into the performance. The choir was one of the few school choirs invited to perform at the Festival of Festive Music hosted at the prestigious National Centre of Performing Arts in Mumbai. A proud moment indeed.
This year the Senior choir has been invited to participate at the Singapore International Choral Festival a huge step indeed to be able to prove their talent among so many competing choirs from around the world. It would be a transformational exposure for the young singers!
The Director Dr. Akash Ryall who is a virtuoso at playing the mouth organ is known to join in unobtrusively from the audience to accompany the choir on many occasions. The music department at Bethany boasts of immensely talented teachers, headed by Saroop Oomen. Joel, Deepak and a bunch of young talented musicians.
The Musicals which are held once every two years is the jewel in the crown of the Bethany cultural scene. The event only gets bigger and better every passing year. The children are auditioned right from primary school to grade twelve. The practice sessions begin three months prior to the D day. The auditorium is converted into two stages for the two set of casts for the morning and evening shows and for the next three months every Bethanite breathes, sleeps and dreams “Musical”. The school goes out and out to see that the show is of excellent caliber.
The lights and sounds, the sets, the costumes, the LED walls are the best that Bangalore can offer and needless to say the shows on all three days are a sellout. Saroop’s take on participation in the Musical is that it is a life-changing experience for all the teachers, students and parent volunteers. So far Bethany has staged eight musicals since 2003, a challenging process no doubt but enriching the lives of so many children and creating precious memories which they will treasure all through their lives. The proceeds are all for a beautiful cause which is dear to everyone at Bethany, the Bethany Family Fund, and the Bethany Helpers Fund.
The beginning of the year sees the beautiful and moving valedictory ceremony an event which is solemn but at the same time so musically rich. The students don’t just walk in, they dance in rhythmically to the choir singing a song which leaves everyone in the audience teary-eyed. The atmosphere is so beautifully encapsulated with the music that one has to be there to appreciate the amazing ceremony.
Bethany High is a school that promotes performing arts like no other. It is one of the few ICSE schools that offer Drama and Western Music in the 9th and 10th standard board exams. The Drama course encourages children to step out of their comfort zones and portray challenging roles. The western music course gives the student the opportunity to choose between playing an instrument or voice and this helps them earn points for the ICSE exams.
Bethany High wholeheartedly supports children who step out of its portals to take part in events. The Harmony Choir recently saw three children from Bethany whose performance was closely followed on television. They had the opportunity to perform in front of famed musicians of India. They were supported wholeheartedly by the entire school and the Director even posted a video on Bethany’s official Facebook page encouraging the performers.
The only thing better than singing is more singing said Ella Fitzgerald and Bethany High believes in this one hundred percent!
The Counselling Department of Bethany Institutions organized sessions on ‘Digital Addiction’ awareness for parents of students in grades 4 -10 and NIOS of Bethany High, Koramangala, and grades 4 – 9 of Bethany High, Sarjapur. These sessions aimed to educate parents about the potential risks and signs of digital addiction among children and to provide strategies for fostering healthy digital habits at home. Parents actively participated in this session, eager to learn about navigating the digital landscape with their children.
Session Overview
The session was conducted by Mrs Rohina Thomas, the Senior Counsellor and Head of Student Development at Bethany Institutions. The presentation began with a startling video portraying the prevalence of drugs, violence, expletives as well as sexually explicit content in popular teen media. Statistics and case examples from the Bethany students were shared to illustrate the seriousness of the issue. Parents were guided through common signs of digital addiction, including how digital addiction can hinder children's cognitive, emotional, and social development. Parents gained insights into the long-term consequences of unchecked screen time on their child's growth and behaviour. Emphasis was placed on the crucial role parents play in mitigating digital addiction. Strategies such as setting boundaries, modelling healthy tech habits, and fostering open communication with children were discussed. Practical tips and techniques were shared to establish a balanced home digital environment. This included creating tech-free zones, setting screen time limits, and encouraging alternative activities such as outdoor play and hobbies. Parents were offered a list of alternative activities to keep their children meaningfully engaged during the summer break. The presentation concluded with a lively Q&A session, during which parents sought clarification on specific concerns and received personalized advice from the speaker.
Conclusion
The digital addiction awareness session was a valuable opportunity for parents to gain insight, tools, and support in navigating the complexities of raising children in a digital age. By empowering parents with knowledge and strategies, the counselling team aims to foster healthier relationships with technology within families.
Feedback from Parents:
Digital Detox was a real eye-opener. A few years back, when we thought of digital detox, our focus was on kids’ screen time, but this time, we were shocked to know what our kids watched. No matter how strict or lenient we were due to peer pressure, or out of curiosity, kids would have misused the gadgets. The digital detox session was very helpful for us. Although I had previously discussed certain dos and don’ts with my daughter, this session briefed us more, which was helpful. Ultimately, since we are not perfect in every aspect of parenting, such sessions will give us confidence and support to at least say no to the kids’ unwanted demands. Discouraging sleepovers was one more happy thing since I don’t send my daughter, but she feels sad when her friends go. I request Akash sir to have this session for kids very often kindly.
Parent of Lakshita Appaiah. Std IX-A (2024-25)
The Digital addiction talk conducted on April 3rd, 2024, was a great session by Mrs. Rohina and her team. I walked in with the thought that I was wasting my time when I could have catered to my professional needs at the time. But it was definitely worth the time spent. I had an insight into how my child is PLAYING WITH DANGER every time he uses the phone / iPad. Nevertheless, the guilt that I always had that if my son said I was bored, it meant that I could not keep him occupied was addressed holistically. It was shocking to know the videos/games/movies the kids should not see running into numerous slides of the PowerPoint presentation (the counsellors have done their homework well).
Our alpha generation kids, born into a world of advancing technology, growing up with AI, smartphones, and instant access to entertainment, is sort to be exposed to the threats of technology, but as Dr Akash rightly said, if we use technology as a tool and not as a toy, we are sure to be safe. We, the parents, have to be an example to our kids and help them become DIGITALLY DEADDICTED, so sessions like this were very helpful and gave some insights on how to tackle some day-to-day situations. Thanks again, Bethany, for going the extra mile for our kids.
Dr Florence Jeffy, parent of Steve Boniface Marley – 4B
The session was very valuable, especially when combined with insights on digital detox and setting healthy boundaries. It sheds light on the importance of distinguishing between technology that enriches our children’s lives as a tool and that which serves merely as a distraction or entertainment. This discernment has empowered us to guide our children towards more constructive screen time activities confidently. Furthermore, the session offered practical strategies for implementing a digital detox routine, emphasizing the need for regular intervals of technology-free time to foster real-world interactions and connections. Learning how to draw boundaries and politely say “no” to certain digital content or screen time requests has been a game-changer. It helped us communicate the value of moderation and the reasons behind our decisions without causing resentment. This approach has led to a more balanced digital environment at home, where technology enhances learning and family time rather than detracting from it.
Rashmi, Mother of Sai Khushi – 10C
I write this to express my sincere gratitude to the faculty at Bethany High for the exceptional session on Digital Detox conducted for parents. Director Dr. Akash Ryall and Principal Mr. Robert Khin are those rare educators who pursue every student’s welfare and do it wholeheartedly. With a deliberate and judicious vision to unplug our children from their digital devices at the start of their summer vacation, and to mindfully engage them in offline activities, the session began with a short, powerful clip on the harrowing scenes embedded in the minds of our kids whilst they watch seemingly standard shows, or play routine online games, or scroll through habitual social media pages or YouTube reels. That video was stomach-churning. The school’s head counsellor, Mrs. Rohina Thomas, dwelled deeply on too much screen time and its well-known increase in anxiety and depression among young teens. From monitoring our children’s digital usage to modelling good behaviour, she persistently reminded us to guide our youngsters to use technology as a tool, not as a toy. There are a few schools that care for more than academics, and Bethany ranks high in this area. I know that every parent walked away feeling supported in the daunting parenting dynamics in today’s world. With credible solutions offered by the team at Bethany, we are empowered to tackle and take on the summer break ahead of us. Well done, and thanks for partnering with us to raise the next generation.
Anita Ebenezer, Mother of Aryan (Gr 9E) and Milan (Gr 7)
In tandem with its 60th Year celebrations, Bethany brought the roof down with a music concert titled “Simply the Best”. Not one, but two concerts on Friday, 20th Oct ‘23!
The 4:30 pm showwas for the highly energetic standing audience of students, and the 7:15 pm show was all seated, but interestingly, they were also loud!
The energy in the auditorium was infectious, to say the least! Oozing with anticipation, the crowd just let their hair down and screamed, sang along, danced, head-banged and even did the iconic phone torch wave for the ballads!
54 of Bethany’s most talented students performed over 25 songs, leaving the audience spellbound and asking for more. Like the “Jackson 5” medley, it was mesmerising to see the carefully choreographed dance moves with exceptional vocals, especially since the lead singers were as young as 10 years old!
Next, the Primary babies took the stage with 2 songs, including a Sinatra classic, ‘High Hopes’. Keeping to Bethany’s Musical theatre DNA, ‘Therapy’ from the musical Tik Tik Boom was next, and the duo had the audience eating out of their hands with the fast-paced, quirky lyrics. A Bethany Alumni Quartet took the stage next with a super engaging rendition of ‘Seasons of Love’ followed by a coterie of Bethany Parents who got the audience singing along to classics fromCSNY, CCR and Everly Brothers.
Slowing down the pace, the students took back the stage with Adele’s ‘When We Were Young’ with harmonies and passionate voices that left you tingling. Ending the 1st half was the Beatles classic ‘Blackbird’ with an 8th grade nailing the acoustic guitar parts and Blesswin Immanuel (alumni, Music Director) adding some glitzy electric guitar parts with the 5 students singers acing the difficult harmonies. They even added their bluesy twist at the end with the refrain, ‘Blackbird fly, take these broken wings and fly!’
The 2nd half started with an explosive ‘Carry On Wayward Son’ by Kansas, performed by Bethany’s very own Music Department teachers; maybe they were reliving their college rocker days; either way they had the school kids head banging to the 70s classic rock.
The Tina Turner star song ‘Simply the Best’ was next, and the lead singer RakshaKrishnaprasad was engaging. Drummer boy Stefan Carvalho hit the crowd singing ‘Jump’ while still playing the drums, transitioning into the pop classic ‘Take on Me’.
Classic rock ruled the roost, with Toto’s ‘Hold the Line’ featuring 11-year-old guitarist Praneel Sinha killing that guitar solo perfectly, followed by ‘Livin on a Prayer’ where vocalist Shayan Pattem was mesmerising. Next up, alumni Pranav Binu and Bethany’s YouTube sensation ‘Caset’ did a mash-up of AR Rahman’s ‘Adiye’ with ‘Fallin’ the Alicia Keys number. This mash-up was ethereal, with the fusion element musically and lyrically just elevating the moment beyond reality!
The concert ended with the crowd favourite, a ‘Coldplay’ medley, with the audience singing every lyric. Then, of course, what better way to end a concert like this than with an epic ‘Queen’ medley? ‘We Are The Champions’ was the last song, and considering the whole concert was done by students only from the Bethany talent pool; they can proudly say that.
The Alumni performance was scintillating, as were the parent segments, giving the show take-homes that would connect with any music lover! Truly, it was Simply the Best!!!
As the sun set on the 24th of January 2024, the Bethany Sarjapur campus lit up with a glowing display to bid farewell and bless the outgoing Valedictorians. It was the 48th Valedictory ceremony and was themed “Centered”. The little boys and girls were transformed into young gentlemen and beautiful ladies with black suits and pastel sarees. The parents were aglow with pride while the teachers were elated to see the students confident with their heads held high.
The Processional was led by the Bethany choir and the vibrant band, encouraging them to “Stand in Faith”. As the strains of the song echoed in the air, the students entered solemnly. Bethany believes that God is the centre of life and always prioritises worship and prayer. The band consisting of a keyboardist, drummer, guitarist, violinist and a keytarist, got everyone on their feet to worship in English and in Hindi. Mr. Saroop Oomen, Head of the Department of Music led everyone in prayer.
Our ever-smiling Principal, Mr. Robert Khin, warmly welcomed the August gathering. He encouraged the valedictorians not to forget the values instilled by Bethany and the friendships forged over the years. He told them they were the architects of their destiny with endless possibilities. The choir sang the school song, which Mrs Miriam Andrews and Mr Joel Gomez composed. Ms Aalia Chondamma, a student of Std 12 and a young author whose book, “The Lost Heroes of Kodagu,” was launched recently, shared a tribute of gratitude to the institution. The award ceremony recognising the outstanding students of Std 10 and 12 and NIOS (National Institute of Open School) was conducted. The alumni of Bethany gave the awards to the students, highlighting their excellence in academics and co-curricular activities.
This was followed by a choreography by Grade 9 and 11 students to the tune of “God is my Source”. Grade 10 and 12 students sang a song titled “Go the Distance,” encouraging the valedictorians to believe in God and themselves. Mr. Jim Roberts, the President of the BPSA (Bethany Past Students Association), welcomed the valedictorians to the association and highlighted that mentorship is a key aspect at BSPA.
The Guest Speaker was introduced by Mrs Sangeetha Macaden (Headmistress of Bethany Sarjapur). She invited Dr. Robert Anthony Charles to the dais. He emphasised the difference between being self-centred and being centred. He elucidated the importance of having a balancing pole in life and encouraged students to choose any three from the six he offered. They are- faith in God, quiet time in the morning, gratitude, finding your purpose in life, finding a passion and service. He told the parents that their children are the arrows while they are the bow; God, the archer, decides their direction and shouldn’t push the children to live their unfinished dreams but let God decide because He knows best!
A little about our speaker – Dr. Robert holds a special place within the heart of Bethany; as a cherished- alumnus, his children are alumni, and he is the President of the Bethany Education Board.
His journey in Bethany began when he joined Std 4, It was a time marked by many personal medical challenges for him. Despite these obstacles, he demonstrated resilience, maintaining a remarkable 100 per cent attendance record throughout his six years at Bethany. After his foundational years, Dr. Robert pursued his passion for medicine, attaining his MBBS fromSt. John’s Medical College. He received advanced training in Paediatric Surgery at AIIMS in Delhi. Following this, he went overseas and was a Fellow at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney, Australia – receiving his training in Laparoscopy and Urology at this institution.
He currently serves as a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at leading hospitals in the city. Dr Robert is known not only for his professional achievements but also for his compassionate approach to patient care. His trademark ties adorned with cartoon characters bring joy and cheer to the little patients under his care. His most recent venture is that of being the CEO of Kinder Surge, a consortium of paediatric surgeons based in Bangalore. With a wealth of experience and a collaborative approach, they specialize in managing and treating surgical diseases in newborns and children.
In 2020, Dr. Robert became quite the online sensation when his YouTube video, addressing parents to support teachers during online classes, went viral, reaching millions of viewers. It was the second-highest trending video in India on the day it was uploaded. Dr Robert- the entire teaching community will always be profoundly grateful to you for your support during that crucial time. Here’s a little about his family: His wife, Mary Ann, works for the World Health Organisation. His children, as I mentioned, are also alumni of Bethany.. his daughter Abigail is pursuing Music in the UK, and his son Jonathan has followed his father’s footsteps and is pursuing Medicine at the SRM Chennai.
Our Director, Dr. Akash Ryall, guided the parents in saying a Prayer of Blessing upon the students, claiming God’s promises for their lives. Ms Sumana Arun Kumar, an alumnus from Bethany, the batch of 1994, spoke about taking committed action towards one’s dreams and being rooted. The candle lighting ceremony was led by Mrs E. H Ryall and Ms Ann Ryall, who encouraged our valedictorians to shine wherever they went and to promote love, joy, and peace.
This was followed by a parents’ tribute by Mrs Sunita Anand and a Prayer of Commitment by Mrs Mallika Dorothy (Head of Department- High School). The Valedictorians walked out as the choir resonated with the song “See Me Through It”. The evening ended with a cultural extravaganza of song and dance by the students of Bethany, followed by an alumnus, DJ Giselle, who entertained the guests with the latest songs. The Diamond Jubilee Valedictory function was a resounding success, encouraging the students to be centred and go forth confidently into a world of endless possibilities. The Bethany Family wishes each Valedictorian the very best in their journey forward.
The Music & Drama department at Bethany was a safe place and very much like home to me. I used to hang out there a lot any chance I got. Being the Cultural convenor during my year at Junior College, also helped tremendously and set me on the path of success and guided me towards SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia, USA).
Choosing drama as a subject is one of the best decisions I’ve taken as a student. Not only did I get exposure to an intriguing subject, but drama also shaped me in so many different ways. I became a more confident person and my performing skills enhanced. (Also a Bharatnatyam dancer.)
