When the Whole School Takes the Stage, It Becomes a Celebration of Unity Through Theatre

Hyderabad: When every child in a school becomes a storyteller, magic unfolds on stage. At Abhyasa Residential School, that magic is called “Hemanth Utsav.”

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Located in the scenic outskirts of Hyderabad at Toopran, Abhyasa has earned a unique reputation for organizing mega theatre productions year after year — with every single student playing a role.

For years, the school’s Annual Day Mega Theatre Performances have drawn attention not only across the country but also from the film industries of Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood. The “Who’s Who” of cinema have visited Abhyasa to mentor students and engage them in the performing arts.

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Each year, over 400 students participate — no child is left behind. From stage management to makeup, costume design to prop creation, the entire production is managed by the students. It’s no exaggeration to say that Abhyasa has made a name for itself through its commitment to inclusive, student-driven performance art.

“Drama improves academic performance. Numerous students have demonstrated a strong correlation between involvement in theatre and academic achievement,” says Vinayak Kalletla, Founder Director and CEO of Abhyasa Residential School.

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“We use skits, dramas, and theatre to build confidence and creativity in our children. The themes of the plays develop Character of the students.  By choosing topical and socially relevant themes, we make them socially aware and value-driven,” Vinayak adds.

“Abhyasa is a school where no one is backstage — because everyone is a star,” he proudly says.

Sushma, a student, describes the annual theatre as “more than just a performance — it’s a celebration of togetherness.”

“Every child deserves the spotlight. This school makes sure they get one,” shares Meghana, a teacher.

At the 28th Annual Day held recently, Abhyasa staged its latest mega production, titled ‘Samvidhan@75’. This opera urged Indian youth not to act like cuckoos using others’ nests, but instead build their own — contributing to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

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The chief guest, MP Eatala Rajender, remarked, “Not marks, but the mark a student leaves on society is what matters. When every child becomes a storyteller, magic unfolds on stage.

Past Mega Productions

Abhyasa’s theatre tradition includes a long line of socially conscious, high-impact productions:

• 2012 – Anna Hazare’s Anti-Corruption Campaign
• 2013 – 100 Years of Indian Cinema (first school in India to celebrate this milestone with a mega multilingual opera at Shilpakala Vedika, Hyderabad)
• 2016 – Swachh Bharat Movement, which raised questions like: “Where does the garbage go after the photo ops?”
• 2017—“Demonetisation” . The play conveyed “People who are refusing to accept demonetization can simply be termed as frogs living in the well.”
• 2019 – Dance of Democracy
• 2020-–“Unity is Divinity”, a mega theater play staged in the backdrop of US-Iran Conflict, Agitations for & against CAA & NRC
• 2024 – Idea of Ram Rajya
• 2025—Samvidhan@75

All shows follow the guiding principle: ‘No Child Left Behind’.

The Swachh Bharat play even introduced the idea of a “Right to Cleanliness,” much like the RTI Act — sparking dialogue around recycling, waste management, and celebrity-driven campaigns.

Plays like Agar Anna sought to sensitize students to the ill effects of corruption. Veteran film director Kodi Ramakrishna and the then Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), C.V. Anand, were among the many dignitaries who attended.

“Producing such high-quality shows is a costly affair, but we’ve never stepped back from our commitment,” says Vinayak Kalletla, who personally invests in these meaningful projects.

What Makes Abhyasa’s Theatre Unique?

1. Magnitude – 400+ student participation
2. Scale – Multi-lingual, multi-cultural, large-format operas
3. Message – Every play is purpose-driven and socially relevant

These shows are not just performances. They are a movement — a model for inclusive, value-based education through art.

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