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India, with its cultural and linguistic diversity, has among the richest traditions of theatre in the world. Nearly every language, every region, has its own form of theatre. In an attempt to bring all these onto a common platform and learn from the various traditions in theatre characteristic to different Indian languages, the Shakespeare Sabha of St. Stephen’s College initiated Bhaasha, a Multilingual One-Act play competition in 2011.
In addition to this attempt, Bhaasha was also initiated to reflect the idea that that language, while being an important tool of theatre, is not the be-all and end-all. Bhaasha is the manifestation of our belief that theatre transcends language.
The idea of a multilingual theatre competition is pretty new to Delhi University and was conceived only last year. In its first year ‘Bhaasha’ was a bit of an experiment and entries were restricted to within Delhi University. We received wide and enthusiastic participation and the audience was treated to a feast of theatre over two days. The Shakespeare Sabha entered two non-competitive entries. The first was a short mime and the second, was ‘Ibn Batuta’, far more elaborate and wider in its scope. The production embodied the spirit and the underlying idea of ‘Bhaasha’. ‘Ibn Batuta’ featured seven regional languages. Actors recited poetry in Punjabi, Malayalam, Rajasthani, Manipuri, Tamil, Bangla and Urdu evoking themes and emotions varying from pathos to revolution. The concept and execution of the play was widely acclaimed. Of the competitive entries, it was Shunya, the dramsoc of Ramjas College that carried the honours with its brilliant play, “Bang! Bang! You’re Dead!” The honour of best director went to Aarushie Sharma and Heena Aggarwal of Ibtida (Hindu College) for their play “Us Paar”.
Having tasted success with our experiment, we have looked to expand the scope of Bhaasha. In only its second Bhaasha has gone national and much to our relief, multilingual. The entries this year are diverse in character and presentation.
This year, we open with ‘ABOHOMAN’, a play by St. Stephen’s based on an episode from the Mahabharata followed by ‘WHAT THE HELL’ – a comedy of emotions by Ibtida (Hindu College) inspired by Jean Paul Sartre’s ‘No exit’. Next up is ‘KUTTE’, Vayam’s (Shivaji College) adaptation of Vijay Tendulkar’s comment on the modern workplace. We wrap up the first day with Ankur’s (SGTB Khalsa College) take on Manto’s ‘THANDA GOSHT’.
First on 6th November is ‘LAAL PENCIL’, Astitva’s (Dyal Singh College) play on the association of a girl with her red pencil. Jadavpur University, Kolkata present their play ‘HARADHAN PRAMANIKER PROSTHAN’ – a growing up tale that connects six drastically different lifetimes together. Following this, is ‘NOISES OFF’, a play by SRCC about the multi-fold, quieter behind the scenes narratives that play out their stories even before the real tale can begin. Last year’s winner, Shunya (Ramjas College) then presents ‘SAINTS AND SINNERS’, four stories, of four unscrupulous men. The concluding performance is that of the Hansraj Dramatics Society. Replete with songs, the play revolves around the passionate misery of Topan Lal Keshwani.
A brilliant experience and a celebration of Indian theatre, Bhaasha has been a treat for the audiences, performers, judges and organisers. We expect Bhaasha 2012 to be twice as good, twice as entertaining. And we hope that in the years to come Bhaasha will grow further and its underlying idea will come to fulfillment.
Visit their Facebook page for more details, http://www.facebook.com/
The teachers, students and karamcharis have not yet given up against the alleged “Unprecedented assault on democratic rights” by the DU’s VC. Wednesday, 31st October 2012, DUTA (Delhi University Teachers Union), backed up by DUSU (Delhi University Students Union) and DUCKU (Delhi University College Karamchari Union) burned the effigy of the Vice- chancellor outside his office at around 3:30 pm. The DUTA has been on a relay hunger strike since the 10th of October demanding from the vice chancellor answers to their various grievances concerning arbitrary imposition of “academic reforms”, withdrawal of the right to revaluation, violation of anonymity of exams, delay in declaring exam results so on and so forth.
Around hundreds of students, teachers and non-teaching staff gathered to witness and participate in the protest. The administration tried its best to dissolve the crowd and curb the burning process by instructing the university’s security personnel to steal away the effigy, but the DUTA continued anyway. The security breached the law in front of the ineffective and mute police force by trying to take away the head and other parts
of the effigy. The crowd arranged another effigy and burned newspaper in the meantime.
“It was a complete chaos, with officials trying to crush the protest and crowd not budging from the venue. It is quite shocking that the police were just standing there, doing absolutely nothing!” said Vidushi a student. “We have no idea what is going on in the university, even the teachers are at loss. There are new academic changes with every passing day!” adds another.
Teachers said that the authorities are now spreading rumors that the DUSU and DUCKU have withdrawn their support from the movement. “This is shameful. This is for the first time that DUSU, DUCKU and DUTA have come together. We have letters from these unions citing their support,” said a DUTA member.
Aishwarya Chaurasia
[email protected]
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We all know that people have their own ways of celebrating Navratri and Halloween. We stumbled upon a rather quirky, or innovative (depending on your taste) poster. The Delhi University Culture and Festivities Union (DUCFU) have planned a special event- a Navratri and Halloween mash up- A Halloween theme Dandiya Night.
The poster said that the event, which is open to all, shall be a night of Dandiya Ras, in very traditional, Halloween outfits. Oh there is more, the performing band is our very own, Evolution in Darkness and Pain, yes friends, yes, EdaP will be there too! And as a special request from the EDaP members the Dandiya sticks shall be replaced with daggers. Moreover, to complete the Halloween feel, the rangoli shall be made of fake blood or real blood, depending upon the DUCFU’s budget!
So it does not matter if you come dressed as a Zombie, as Frankenstein or Rakhi Sawant (a hot Halloween favourite) everybody is welcome to enjoy the Halloween Dandiya Night.
Graphic Credits: Siddhant Sharma
Sounds bizarre? Well, that’s the point. Two of the songs which have become worldwide hits over night- Two different languages which not everyone understands, but everyone can’t help but tap to the music. How can we not find out which one managed to gain more popularity?!
So this week Juxtapose asks you which tune gets your feet tapping.. Better?!
Go on, post your thoughts.
Scroll down and post your arguments.
Illumi-Nation is an event being organized by AIESEC in Delhi (Delhi University + Delhi IIT) in association with Tinker bell productions in order to show its support against child labor, towards peace promotion and a green Diwali. This is an initiative by AIESEC in Delhi to show our support against the thousands of children working in darkness during the production of fireworks, loosing eyesight, and being affected by the explosives & loosing lives.
Illumi-Nation is an attempt to break the Guinness World Record by lighting 5000 sky lanterns on the same day at the same time by the youth and creating a positive impact in the society. The event is being held in New Delhi on 2nd of November 2012 from 5pm to 8pm. There will be an opening act by well known musicians and an exhibition of our diverse Indian food culture. A crowd of 7000 people is being expected by this event.
Illumi-Nation is a Pre-event for The Sky Lantern Project which will be held on 21st December as an initiative by AIESEC INDIA with 23 states participating in this Guinness World Record breaking event by releasing more than 10,000 sky lanterns on the same day at the same time projecting unity amidst the living diversity of the country.
Tushar Prashar is a regular guy from Delhi, pursuing B.A Program from Delhi College of Arts and Commerce. Looking at him you’ll be amazed how a rather lanky guy like him can do what he does. But this boy, blessed with a sound sense of music, an uncanny ability to imitate the roaring sounds of drums and trumpets, AND, an amazing set of oral fittings, does so, and how!
In a conversation with him:
DU Beat: So, how did you get into beatboxing?
Well, as a kid I always used to imitate people, Gradually, it led to imitation of sounds as well. That is how I developed interest. I used to do beats, somewhat like 2 years ago I came to know about the art that is beatboxing, so I started working on it, watching videos of other renowned beatboxers on You Tube, adding my own style of course. So, yes, since then, there has been no stopping.
DUB: So, are you associated with some band?
No, I have collaborated with other artists, but, no, haven’t formed a band as yet, but is quite possible, soon.
DUB: What’s “Beatbox Battle”?
It’s like an organisation of all the beatboxers across the globe, where all of them can connect with each other.Basically, it is about the art of battling each other to judge the best beatboxer around, but in India, there hasn’t been a beatbox battle yet. There are just 120 odd recognised beatboxers in India.
DUB: Do you plan to take it up as a career?
Yes, lately I have been quite involved with music, along with beatboxing I would like to get into music production. I’m currently also working as music critic for a magazine called the “Euphoria Magazine”, which is like India’s first Electronic and Dance Music Magazine. Also, I have my music promotion channel on You Tube. So, if it works out, then I’m definitely viewing it as a career thing.
DUB: So, you’re a critic as well?
Yes, I write for drum and bass. It’s a genre, like house, trance, and kids these days are into dubstep, but yes, drum and bass is my thing. “unz unz unz unz”, this is what trance sounds like!
DUB: So, have your parents been supportive of your choice?
Well, earlier they didn’t get the concept of creating-sounds-from-the-
DUB: So, where all have you performed?
I have performed at Café Morrison, the “Comedy Convention” at FICCI Auditorium, at “Red Bull Paper Planes Event”. These are the good ones, but otherwise I have jammed a lot!
DUB: Is your college atmosphere conducive to what you do? Like when you miss classes and all, do you have to struggle for attendance?
Yes, the atmosphere is good. Though the attendance issues are a bit tough to manage, but hopefully from this semester, things shall change!
DUB: People whose work inspires you?
Oh there are many! Reeps one from UK, Beardyman from UK, Babeli from Germany, Tom Thum from Australia, amongst others.
DUB: Has this affected your life in any way?
Well, it has been a part of my life for the past 2 years, so yes my life has changed a lot. People even recognize me as a “walking talking stereo”!
DUB: So, anything you would like to say to the budding beatboxers?
Keep it real, listen to good music, there’s a lot around, the sad part is many beatboxers and musicians try to imitate others. Its better to keep things according to your style. And, don’t listen to Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and the likes (kidding.)
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37 years after its inception, Rendezvous continues to cast its magic on students of more than 500 different colleges across the globe. On the third day of its 37th edition, Rendezvous witnessed the campus of IIT Delhi buzzing with a series of frolic and adventure filled events and activities like Laser Tag, Zorbing, Street Dancing, Podium, Mr. and Ms. Rendezvous and the most talked about Confluence which is a series of Musical performances from bands across the globe.
This time Instituto Cervantes presented the Spanish Raga, which is a unique blend of Spanish jazz and Carnatic music. The event began at four in the Dogra hall and continued for an hour and a half. Although the lyrics was in Spanish and therefore unintelligible by the majority of the audience, the
Dogra hall was fully packed with students humming along with the band. The artists played flute, drum and guitar and rocked the stage with their slow and passionate songs.
Stage one had the Delhi drummers giving their performance in full swing with students gathered all around them, clapping and cheering with enthusiasm. The other enthralling event was Mister and Miss Rendezvous which saw girls and boys showcasing their talent by dancing, singing and even acting on the stage in order to impress the judges. The audience enjoyed thoroughly, whistling and hooting after each performance. The students thronged the auditorium to see the participants perform.
Last but not the least the food and handicraft stalls witnessed a huge crowd inspite of being quite expensive. All in all day three of Rendezvous was as dazzling as one would expect an annual IIT fest to be.
Aishwarya Chaurasia
[email protected]