BMC School Students Bring Climate Action to the Forefront with English Musical at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

Over 100 students from Mumbai municipal schools perform “The Whispering Woods Ishaan’s Journey” at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, led by Pehlay Akshar Foundation, blending English language learning, theatre and environmental responsibility

Students from Mumbai’s municipal schools are returning to the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival on February 1, 2026, with an English musical that places climate action and personal responsibility at its centre. More than 100 students between the ages of 10 and 13 will take the stage at Y. B. Chavan Auditorium, Nariman Point, presenting The Whispering Woods Ishaan’s Journey, a performance that reflects a year-long theatre-based learning programme focused on confidence, communication and self-expression.
The production is anchored in a structured educational initiative led by Pehlay Akshar Foundation, which uses theatre as a medium to strengthen spoken English, expand vocabulary and nurture creativity among students from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation schools.

The musical represents the culmination of months of training where students worked through a curriculum combining storytelling, music, movement and dialogue. The programme is designed to help young learners gain fluency in English while building stage confidence and communication skills that extend beyond the classroom.
A spokesperson from Pehlay Akshar Foundation said that theatre, when combined with language learning, enables students to express themselves more clearly in English, refine pronunciation and develop confidence that supports both academic progress and future professional aspirations.

As part of the initiative, students collaborated with professionals in theatre set design, drama and acting, giving them hands-on exposure to the performing arts and helping them understand the discipline, teamwork and preparation required for live performance.
For many participants, the experience has been transformative. Shaurya, a Class 5 student from Nariyalwadi school, said that performing on a real stage was a completely new experience for him. He shared that while he enjoys English classes, acting helped him discover a different kind of confidence and gave him the courage to imagine a future on stage.

From observing nature to taking responsibility
While last year’s performance invited audiences to observe nature through the perspective of animals, The Whispering Woods Ishaan’s Journey moves the narrative forward. The story follows Ishaan, a “story catcher” travelling through forests and cities, highlighting how everyday choices can counter the effects of urbanisation and help restore humanity’s connection with the natural world.
By placing climate responsibility at the heart of the story, the musical encourages young performers and audiences alike to reflect on their role in environmental stewardship.
Open to the public, the performance invites families, educators and festival-goers to witness how theatre can bridge English language learning, environmental awareness and youthful imagination. Through this initiative, students from Mumbai’s municipal schools are not only developing communication skills but also using the stage as a platform to engage with issues that shape their future.

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