ISB Tarang 2026 Unleashes a Wave of Talent
The stage events of Tarang 2026, the annual Youth Festival of The Indian School Bahrain (ISB), commenced with great enthusiasm at the school’s Isa Town campus on Thursday (8/10/2026), bringing together thousands of young talents in a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture and healthy competition. ISB Hon. Chairman Adv. Binu Mannil Varughese formally declared the festival open in the presence of Hon. Secretary V. Rajapandian; Hon. Asst. Secretary & Hon. Member-Academics Ranjini Mohan; Hon. Member-Finance & IT Bonny Joseph; Hon. Member-Projects &Maintenance Mithun Mohan; Principal Santha Kumar Dasari; Academic Administration Vice-Principal Rajesh Nair; and Staff Representative Parvathi Devadas. Neha Sara Diju, Tanzia Elza Soncy were the masters of ceremonies.
The opening day featured folk dance, group songs, speech and mime competitions, setting the stage for a series of exciting performances. With more than 4,000 students participating in 120 events, and 7000 in non-stage events, Tarang is considered one of the largest school youth festivals in the Gulf region. The festival provides a dynamic platform for students to showcase their artistic abilities, build confidence and celebrate the joy of participation. The stage events will continue on October 10, 11, 12 and 13, with the grand finale scheduled for a later date. The prestigious Kalashri and Kalaratna awards, along with the House Star, Group Champion and House Champion awards, will be presented at the grand finale, honouring exceptional individual talent and outstanding team performance.
The excitement began well before the stage events, with students participating in non-stage competitions and preliminary rounds of group events over the past two weeks. Essay writing, conducted in four levels, witnessed the participation of all students at the Isa Town campus, highlighting the school’s commitment to nurturing literary talent alongside artistic excellence. The school’s House system adds to the competitive spirit, with students representing Aryabhata, Vikram Sarabhai, JC Bose and CV Raman Houses. Points earned across stage and non-stage events determine individual honours and the overall House Championship. The highest-scoring students become eligible for the coveted Kalashri and Kalaratna awards. To ensure accuracy and efficiency, the school has developed dedicated software for quick result declarations.
Hon. Chairman Adv. Binu Mannil Varughese said that Tarang provides a vibrant platform for students to showcase their talents, embrace healthy competition and explore their creative potential. He emphasised that the festival plays a vital role in nurturing confidence, encouraging holistic development and inspiring students to excel beyond the classroom.
Hon. Secretary V. Rajapandian said that Tarang fosters harmony and mutual respect by bringing students from diverse backgrounds together on a common cultural platform, celebrating rich cultural heritage and strengthening the bonds of friendship, unity and understanding among young people.
Principal Santha Kumar Dasari expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic participation of students in the non-stage and stage competitions and said that Tarang 2026 provides a valuable platform for nurturing creativity, encouraging teamwork and celebrating the diverse talents of students while fostering friendship, confidence and a spirit of healthy competition.
