This song epitomises the title of a wonderful concert, Under the Same Sun, held on March 21 by the senior section of Scholastica. The moving message is that even in one world there is a diversity of culture, religion and language, vibrant colours and beauty all around and the artificial barriers that separate humankind must go. The mix of Russian, French and Bangla plays project how the art forms of music, dance and drama can help bring about harmony between different peoples.

The function at Scholastica senior section, Uttara is different from other run of the mill school productions in that it brings together a medley of world theatre ranging from Anton Chekov's Seagull, to Moliere's The Bourgeoise Gentleman, Rabindranath Tagore's Rakta Karabi and Utpal Datta's Tiner Talwar. Explaining the raison d'etre of this distinctive choice of plays, Shabnam Sobhan, principal of Scholastica's high school, asserts: "We wanted to add an element of variety to our production. The aim is to create awareness among the audience that the students can put together a variety of performing arts, cutting across languages and cultures. You could call it a fusion of eastern and western cultures."

The curtains went up with a superb dance by flower bedecked girls. Each of the plays was interspersed with a dance and a song. This was followed by excerpts from the plays. The first play was Seagull. This version of Chekov's work portrayed the conflict between famous actress Arcadina and her aspiring artist son Trepliov. The second play was The Bourgeoise Gentleman, a pointer at the society of that time. The focus is on Monsieur Jourdian, recently come into wealth, who seeks to find a niche in high society. In this endeavour, he hires masters to give him lessons in music, dance, philosophy and fencing. He even enlists the services of a tailor to improve his wardrobe so that he can appear as a perfect gentleman and show off his wealth.

Next was Tagore's Rakta Karabi. This symbolistic work depicts the havoc wrought on the human being-nature relationship by the Industrial Revolution. The conflicts caused by this divide are portrayed in the lives of Nandini and Ranjan.

Last followed Utpal Datta's social satire, titled Tiner Talwar. This work portrays 19th century society where the wealthy exercise a vice like grip on the exponents of art forms and even established directors are forced to kowtow to the affluent.

The songs in the function were those of Tagore as well as the band Scorpion. With catchy music, the Scholastica students put their hearts into the song Under the same sun as well as Listen to the winds of change. The latter was a plea for a better tomorrow. The music, on the whole, was exceptional.

The plays at first sight seemed a bit too complex for young girls and boys. However, director Tofikul Islam Emon and a team of drama teachers from the school deserve accolades. Explaining the choice of plays, Emon says, "The idea is to showcase great writers such as Moliere and Tagore. True Seagull may be difficult for the youngsters, but we want to keep them abreast of all genres of theatre, writers and bring them face to face with reality."

The students, of course, deserve the maximum applause for their superb performance. Among those who caught attention was Kaniz Tazia Ahmed, who enacted the role of Nandini in Rakta Karabi and also did several dance pieces along with other dancers.

This student of class nine says: "I performed a mixture of Bharatnatyam, Kathak and traditional folk dances,", adding that she learns dance from the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts.

Another talented boy, Ayman Arka Khondker, from class eight, was equally elated. Playing the role of Trepliov in Seagull, he says was challenging, as he has to understand the psyche of the son of a busy actress who has no time for him.

Under the Same Sun will run till March 24. More such school productions will go a long way in not only entertaining but conveying powerful social messages.