Performing Arts
Sattriya dance in the forest. Original plays written by Class XII students. A Music Circle that records. A Cultural Night that fills the auditorium every January. At Axel, performance is part of being educated — not a reward for it.
Classes IV–XII · Annual Cultural Night · Annual School Play (January–February)
produced since 2003
competition recognition
— every January
disciplines offered
What we offer
Classical & Contemporary Dance
Training in Sattriya — the classical dance form of Assam, originally performed in Vaishnavite monasteries — alongside Bihu, Bharatnatyam fundamentals, contemporary and Bollywood. The Axel Dance Troupe performs at school events, regional cultural festivals and has represented the school at three inter-school competitions. In March 2025, a dedicated Dance Workshop ran across five days, deepening technique for students across year groups. Classes begin in Class IV.
Vocals & Instrumental Music
Hindustani classical and light vocal training, guitar (acoustic and electric), keyboard and basic percussion. Two students have sat ABRSM music theory exams. The Music Circle performs at the Annual Cultural Night and maintains a biannual recording archive. Music lessons are available from Class IV; ensemble practice begins in Class VI.
Drama & Theatre
The Drama Club produces the annual school play — written, set-designed and largely co-directed by Class XI and XII students. Two public performances each year. Past productions have included original scripts drawing on Northeast Indian folklore. Axel's drama stage has professional-quality lighting, an acoustic treatment system and a digital sound desk.
Public Speaking, Oratory & Radio
Structured public speaking is embedded in the curriculum from Class I — every student speaks before their class every term. From Class VI, students take part in house-level oratory and inter-school competitions. In 2024–25, the performing arts programme extended into radio broadcasting — RJ Krish and the Radio Gupshup team ran a three-day workshop for Classes VII to XII on voice, presence, scripting and live performance. Debate Club training from Class VIII leads directly to MUN participation.
Cultural Night & Annual Day
Two major annual showcases define the Axel performing arts calendar. Axel's Cultural Symphony — a two-day literary and cultural celebration in November — brings together performances, readings and exhibitions. The Annual Day, Smiritir Aalibat (Alok Xandhani Ek Jatra), held in January, is the formal celebration of the school year through ceremony and performance. Both events involve every class and are open to parents and community.
Annual School Play
Axel's annual play is the most ambitious student production in the school calendar. Scripts are written by Class XII students in July. Rehearsals run from August through December. The production involves not just performers but student set designers, costume makers, sound engineers and publicity managers. Two public performances in January or February every year, open to all.
Achievements in the performing arts
State-level recognition for dance performance at regional cultural festivals — 2021, 2023, 2025.
Rituporna Dey (Class XII, 2026) awarded the Visharad certificate in Fine Arts by the Prayag Sangit Samiti — the highest pre-degree arts qualification in India.
Annual school plays produced since the programme was formalised in 2003 — every one written, performed and produced by Axel students.
2024–25 — On stage
Performances, workshops and competitions that defined the performing arts year.
Axel's Cultural Symphony
A two-day literary and cultural celebration held in November 2024, featuring music, dance, drama and spoken word. The finale of the inter-class competitions for Classes 1 to 5 was integrated into the event. Cultural Symphony has established itself as Axel's most significant mid-year arts showcase — an event the whole school community works toward.
Smiritir Aalibat — Annual Day 2025
Alok Xandhani Ek Jatra — the Annual Day celebration held in January 2025 — brought together students, parents, staff and guests in an evening of performance and ceremony. Music, speeches, prize-giving and a closing performance made it one of the most attended events in the school calendar.
Red FM Talent Hunt
In November 2024, Red FM brought a Talent Hunt and Health Awareness Camp to campus. Students performed across song, dance and spoken word categories — with an external judging panel providing feedback rarely available in a school setting. The event connected student talent with a professional broadcast environment.
Dance Workshop — March 2025
A dedicated five-day dance workshop covering classical, contemporary and freestyle forms. Conducted by external instructors, the workshop complemented the Dance Troupe's year-round training with concentrated technique sessions. Students from Classes IV to XII participated across different streams.
Radio Gupshup Broadcasting Workshop
RJ Krish from Radio Gupshup ran a three-day radio broadcasting workshop for Classes VII to XII in March 2025 — covering voice modulation, scripting, interview technique and live presenting. The workshop grew out of an orientation session held earlier in the year and is now part of Axel's performing arts calendar.
Maria's Mah Literary Fest
A group of Axel students competed at the Maria's Mah Literary Fest in August 2024 — an inter-school competition covering creative writing, poetry, debate and dramatic reading. The festival gave students a stage beyond campus and the experience of performing and competing alongside students from across the region.
Take the stage.
Every student performs at Axel — in class assemblies, house events, Cultural Night or the annual play. The stage is not just for the naturally talented. It is for everyone with something to say.