It has been my natural tendency and inclination to participate in all the cultural festivals and competitions right from my school days. Few days back I had an opportunity to be a part of such an event courtesy my friend ‘A’. She was participating in a group dance competition in her college. I readily volunteered for her make-up and dressing up. For the first time I realised that my college days were over and this is the only way I can get to be a part of such events hence forth. She got me completely nostalgic! In any case, it’s not the final performance that is the source of pleasure, it’s the rehearsals, run-throughs and the back stage sprints that are euphoric!
There is a trifling variation either in the episodes or the chronology when it comes to the pre-presentation segment. More over it depends up on the nature of the presentation, the number of people in the contingent and the days to go for the final show. For the first two categories, it’s certainly more the merrier, as it adds on to the mayhem around. This is no joke, its experience over the years speaking! As for the later, only the 11th hour gets things falling in place. This is ‘The Fact’ irrespective of all the strict people who wish to prove me wrong because they lack experience, or the pressure created by massive egos unanimously against the opponents, which only creates more chaos making the performance increasingly difficult!
Coming back to the point, the pre-presentation phase could be summarized as the following:
1. It starts right from forming a group to deciding on the total number of people in the contingent. This happens mostly because enthusiastic people are ready to be a part of everything but the performance. And this is only caused by more of talent or lack of it. By rigorous and persistent persuasion, finally the contingent shapes up!
2. Everyone has strong opinions and they not only wish to voice them but they wish them to be implemented as well. This is by all means natural and justified. But the hitch here is that everyone wants their outlook to be finalized because they think theirs’ is the best. Since there is no choice left, things are finalised and frozen to be taken to the next stage, i.e. ‘The Beginning of the Act’.
3. To figure out the extent of the complexity of the ‘Beginning’, is better left to be lived than told. There are either problems finding a place for rehearsals, and if this hindrance is outstripped, there has to be a power cut. If these material barriers are surpassed, then there are human barriers all ready. Either, there are people who have liking problems as they hate one another and make the situations awkward for them selves, or, there are unexpected ephemeral affairs which make others awkward! Still the show must go on…
4. Run-throughs come at a very later stage, often at the 11th hour when counting hours than days, is the key to success. But all in all, it’s a much secured juncture. For the only reason that here, the confusion is no longer because of the above obstructions. It’s more because the set item is dissected by the confident participants to hilarious sights under the pretext of “that’s the spirit!”
5. All the late night practice sessions, studies conveniently forgotten, muddled up routines, diets gone for a toss are enough reasons to become a domestic hurdle which often result into almost fatal encounters. The respective moms; best nothing said about them, and the dads who only make it worse by not responding to moms reactions are the start point of the chain reaction which has to be digested by the poor participant. The moment it goes beyond the parents, even the pet at home has something to say over this outrageous deed by them!
6. With all these issues to cope up with, not to forget the anxiety of the performance, the participant is mysteriously contended, eager and in full form for ‘The Day’. But still the series does not end here. There is still an equal havoc waiting in the green room. The boys, inherently make-up resistant swear by everything under the sun for that torture. The girls crib about the last minute changes in their costumes, hair dos, eye make-up, or if everything is perfect, then there is always the presence of guys to make them grumble. Suddenly someone realises the doom fallen upon them. Either one of the participants has not yet come, or the main prop is forgotten, or the music CD is lost or worst, the lights are out!
7. With the heat of all these factors the show is finally put up! To be honest, at this time none of the contestant is thinking about winning. The only thing going through in his/ her mind is that “this is going to be my best shot!” The performance may or may not prove this thought, but that’s the fact, everyone is all in for the best shot! This series ends with the cheering and hooting out at the end of the show. And this is out of the feeling of completeness. All the hard work was indeed worth it!
The time spent behind the scenes is bliss in real sense of the term! It consists of almost all the spirits in the world! It’s a team work; a brain storming of ideas, an excellent
Exploitation of creativity, an equilibrium of inputs, final decisions, last moment changes, and what not! It’s a time one has to experience at least once in a life time!
There is a trifling variation either in the episodes or the chronology when it comes to the pre-presentation segment. More over it depends up on the nature of the presentation, the number of people in the contingent and the days to go for the final show. For the first two categories, it’s certainly more the merrier, as it adds on to the mayhem around. This is no joke, its experience over the years speaking! As for the later, only the 11th hour gets things falling in place. This is ‘The Fact’ irrespective of all the strict people who wish to prove me wrong because they lack experience, or the pressure created by massive egos unanimously against the opponents, which only creates more chaos making the performance increasingly difficult!
Coming back to the point, the pre-presentation phase could be summarized as the following:
1. It starts right from forming a group to deciding on the total number of people in the contingent. This happens mostly because enthusiastic people are ready to be a part of everything but the performance. And this is only caused by more of talent or lack of it. By rigorous and persistent persuasion, finally the contingent shapes up!
2. Everyone has strong opinions and they not only wish to voice them but they wish them to be implemented as well. This is by all means natural and justified. But the hitch here is that everyone wants their outlook to be finalized because they think theirs’ is the best. Since there is no choice left, things are finalised and frozen to be taken to the next stage, i.e. ‘The Beginning of the Act’.
3. To figure out the extent of the complexity of the ‘Beginning’, is better left to be lived than told. There are either problems finding a place for rehearsals, and if this hindrance is outstripped, there has to be a power cut. If these material barriers are surpassed, then there are human barriers all ready. Either, there are people who have liking problems as they hate one another and make the situations awkward for them selves, or, there are unexpected ephemeral affairs which make others awkward! Still the show must go on…
4. Run-throughs come at a very later stage, often at the 11th hour when counting hours than days, is the key to success. But all in all, it’s a much secured juncture. For the only reason that here, the confusion is no longer because of the above obstructions. It’s more because the set item is dissected by the confident participants to hilarious sights under the pretext of “that’s the spirit!”
5. All the late night practice sessions, studies conveniently forgotten, muddled up routines, diets gone for a toss are enough reasons to become a domestic hurdle which often result into almost fatal encounters. The respective moms; best nothing said about them, and the dads who only make it worse by not responding to moms reactions are the start point of the chain reaction which has to be digested by the poor participant. The moment it goes beyond the parents, even the pet at home has something to say over this outrageous deed by them!
6. With all these issues to cope up with, not to forget the anxiety of the performance, the participant is mysteriously contended, eager and in full form for ‘The Day’. But still the series does not end here. There is still an equal havoc waiting in the green room. The boys, inherently make-up resistant swear by everything under the sun for that torture. The girls crib about the last minute changes in their costumes, hair dos, eye make-up, or if everything is perfect, then there is always the presence of guys to make them grumble. Suddenly someone realises the doom fallen upon them. Either one of the participants has not yet come, or the main prop is forgotten, or the music CD is lost or worst, the lights are out!
7. With the heat of all these factors the show is finally put up! To be honest, at this time none of the contestant is thinking about winning. The only thing going through in his/ her mind is that “this is going to be my best shot!” The performance may or may not prove this thought, but that’s the fact, everyone is all in for the best shot! This series ends with the cheering and hooting out at the end of the show. And this is out of the feeling of completeness. All the hard work was indeed worth it!
The time spent behind the scenes is bliss in real sense of the term! It consists of almost all the spirits in the world! It’s a team work; a brain storming of ideas, an excellent
Exploitation of creativity, an equilibrium of inputs, final decisions, last moment changes, and what not! It’s a time one has to experience at least once in a life time!
6 comments:
the people who are really into cultural activities such as Drama,organizing a show or a Music Concert or whatever the activity they are doing really have to go through this.But just one point is missing and i really think that the social message if you could sent out then your show is really worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have never ever done something like this all my life....but the beautiful description and excitement sings created by way of this write-up makes me really think of doing some things which are not important but yet mean a life.... cheers sniggs!!!
Shit happens and so do miracles.... same with the Drama or a play... anyways dont have much to say abt cultural activities coz havent been in them much... still i agree wid abhi.... need to give out a social msg...
I've been a part of these activities and I've been the cause of obstructions too...it's great fun really...what you missed out is that in these sessions you connect with people on a different level..there are discussions of things apart from the normal college gaga...there are times when the delays in the practice session are so worth it because the the girl you like is talking to you..its well said that one has to be a part of these activities to really experience the joy.. :)
Great!! very well put, snigdha!!
I have been in such situations before, and I agree that it is all worth it, undoubtedly!!
No matter what the end result is, the processing/practise time is always amazing. People getting together, working for a common goal with their colliding/adjoining individual drives is such a fulfilling experience! n lot of learning too!
I feel addicted to those now, "Khaaj tithe naailaaj"!!
i can only say its "simply great"
the way you have described in simple language and also it was the longest of all but because of the length and the detailed description i remembered all those days we spent together at afp for the sketch it was very much identical with our situation for some moments i forgot all of my present tensions and stress and once more entered the exciting past i had in my school and at afp where i participated in the cultural activities etc.
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