Rishi Valley School, Madanapalle

Incorporating philosopher J. Krishnamurti's provocative educational philosophy into the everyday operations of an Indian rural school is the aim of Rishi Valley School. Rishi Valley School is home to 360 boarding students from various Indian states and sixty highly educated teaching staff members. One of the best residential schools in India, Rishi Valley School provides a distinctive learning atmosphere that fosters students' intellectual as well as personal growth. Each year, the school selects new students from a pool of applications, considering factors such as character, talent, academic standing, and parental background. With over 190 pupils enrolled in grades 4 through 8, the junior and middle school serves

TRADITION AND CULTURE The school follows the rich tradition and culture. During morning assembly, all students gathers for singing and both senior and junior students get the opportunity to interact with each-other. All students learn the traditional chants and songs of the famous writer’s like the Kabir, Kalidas, Rabindra Nath Tagore etc. with the mridangam, the south Indian drum. F. Gordon Pearce, the principal of Rishi Valley School after the Second World War, came up with the idea of Asthachal (sunset point), a tradition which survives to this day During Asthachal, children gather together on a cliff and sit quietly while the sun sets. It is a short but peaceful period of time, which gives children an opportunity for quiet reflection, observation of nature, daydreaming or watching their own thoughts. Religious and cultural festivals and occasions are celebrated in Rishi Valley like Christmas, Ugadi, Shivaratri and Makara Sankranti (Pongal) when villagers come and perform for the children. During Makara Sankranti, there is a bull dance where all students dance along with the villagers and their decorated bulls. On such special occasions, students are treated to a special dinner. Student cultural activities include: classical Indian dance (Bharatnatyam), Carnatic music, Mridangam, Violin, Tabla and Piano. Many important Indian artists have performed in Rishi Valley including M.L. Vasanthakumari (Carnatic musician), Amjad Ali Khan (Hindustani musician), Nikhil Banerjee (Sitar musician), Palghat Mani Iyer (Mridangam musician), and Bombay Jayashree (Carnatic musician). Renowned Odissi and Bharatanatyam choreographer and danseuse, Oopali Operajita, is a former Rishi Valley student where she studied Bharatanatyam and performed under the banyan tree in Rishi Valley’s fabled dance dramas, for J. Krishnamurti. She was recently invited by Rishi Valley to choreograph a dance drama – The Rishi Valley Dance Drama (from Kalidasa’s Kumarasambhavam).