This blog is written as a part of thinking activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir, Department of English, MKBU. In this blog I will try to reflect my understanding of various events and themes and also will try to apply dramatic theories and various artistic terms.
Every year, the grand inter-college Youth Festival brings students together, showcasing various arts and hidden talents. Maharaja Krishna Kumar Sinhhji Bhavnagar University organized its 31st youth festival from November 2nd to 5th, 2023. Students from different colleges and departments presented their skills in a total of 32 events under five sections: Literary events, Fine Arts, Music, Theatre, and Dance.
This time, the youth festival was named
"ManbhavanYuvakMahotsav"
which means something mindfulness, which is liked by our mind and soul.
This time it was hosted by Physical Education Department of the University. The central theme of this youth festival was
"NariShaktiVandana"
which is inspired and attributed to recently passed Nari Shakti Vandana bill in Parliament. Throughout the festival, women from various fields were honored for their work. It was remarkable to see that both the Inauguration and Valedictory chief guests were women. What's more, out of 1171 participants, 721 were girls, making up around 62% of the participants, truly embodying the essence of Nari Shakti Vandana. MK Bhavnagar University holds the distinction of being the first university to celebrate the entire Youth Festival under the theme of Nari Shakti Vandana.
Themes represented in Various Tableaux during Kalayatra
The Youth Festival commenced with the vibrant Kala Yatra on November 2nd, starting at 3:00 PM. The procession route covered significant locations, starting from Samaldas Arts College to Central Salt, Atabhai Chowk, Rupani Circle, Sardarnagar, and Swaminarayan Gurukul, concluding at J. K. Sarvaiya Group of Colleges.
Kala Yatra is organized as a part of KALA PRADRSHAN, intending to acquaint citizens with its cultural significance. With the aid of technical tools, its reach has been broadened, allowing for a live telecast of Kalayatra and other events on MKBU's YouTube channel.
Given that the central theme of the entire youth festival is Nari Shakti Vandana, the themes depicted in various tableaux during Kalayatra were closely aligned with this overarching theme. Additionally, the recently launched Chandrayaan by ISRO found representation in the tableau presentations.
Let's now explore the diverse and meaningful themes showcased during Kalayatra.
College Code 1 showcased on the theme of Narishakti Vandana. They incorporated various slogans to express their message:
शक्ति रूपेण संस्थिता ।
(Embodied in the form of strength.)
"નવદુર્ગા રૂપે સાંપ્રત નારી શક્તિને વંદન"
न स्त्रीरत्नसमं रत्नम ।
(There is no jewel like a woman.)
It featured successful women from various fields, such as Sudha Murthy, Kiran Bedi, and goddesses like MahaGauri, who are revered as embodiments of Shakti. The emphasis was on portraying women not only as powerful figures in society but also as embodiments of Shakti and mothers.
College Code 4 centered on the theme of Chandrayan, the recently launched satellite by ISRO. They highlighted the extensive journey of India in space science, tracing its roots back to the Vedas. The tableau aimed to underscore the significance of the Ancient Indian Knowledge system.
It featured slogans expressing this sentiment:
"वेद से वेग... भारत सर्वश्रेष्ठ "
चाँद हुआ हिंदुस्तान का
"मेरा भारत बदल रहा है, आगे बढ़ रहा है।"
In addition to showcasing the scientific achievements, they also incorporated the representation of women who contributed to the Chandrayan launch, presenting them as multitaskers. This added a significant aspect of recognizing and celebrating women's roles in space exploration.
College Code 38 embraced the theme of Narishakti Vandana, focusing on successful women from Gujarat under the title:
"ગુર્જરી - બહુરત્ના વસુંધરા"
"નારી - સંઘર્ષ થી સમોન્નતિ"
This tableau aimed to celebrate and honor the diverse accomplishments of women in Gujarat, portraying them as valuable gems and exemplifying their journey towards success through resilience and determination.
College code 53 incorporated the theme of Chandrayan, exploring India's Space Expedition.
Life Science Department came up with the topic of 'Humans in the trap of Mobile,
"મોબાઈલ ની માયાજાળમાં માનવી"
This addresses a very current issue—mobile addiction leading the youth in the wrong direction. The overall concept was well-executed and presented, highlighting the obsession with selfies and how it can lead to unfortunate consequences, including loss of life. The presentation also touched upon the impact of social media on people's lives.
This year, we, the students of the Department of English, actively participated in Kalayatra, presenting a captivating theme that was executed remarkably well. Our focus was on exploring the journey of women from oppression to freedom, encompassing the shift from traditional to modern roles.
Slogans added charm to the essence of our selected theme.
"Oppression to Freedom: નારી વંદના"
"नहीं तुमसे ऊपर, नहीं तुमसे नीच स्थान,
एक साथ मिलके बनाए समान आसमान।"
"Gentleman बनो,
Man Gentle बनो।"
"Empower women, Secure future,
Financial Literacy matters."
Our portrayal depicted women controlled by a male-dominant society, representing traditional roles like Govalan, Child marriage, the life of a worker, Panihari, Mother, and Widow. The man at the center, representing society, held them all, effectively conveying the overall narrative.
Transitioning to empowered women challenging traditional roles, breaking societal boundaries in fields like Law, Business, Engineering, Cricket-Sports, Navy-Defense, and Journalism, showcased their talent and hard work. These women also worked towards uplifting those suppressed by society. Selected songs added a charming touch to the overall theme.
We selected various songs like:
1. સાયબો રે ગોવાળિયો
2. छोटी सी उमर परनाई रे
3. महेनत हमारा जीवन, महेनत हमारा नारा
4. પાણી ગયા'તા રે બેની અમે તળાવના રે
5. દીકરો મારો લાડકવાયો
6. સપના વિનાની સુની રાત
7. कुड़ीनु नचने दे
8. धाकड़
Last year's participation was more casual, but this time, we were determined to present a thoughtful idea. Alpa ma'am played a crucial role in developing and executing the concept. The experience was enriching, requiring hard work from choosing the topic to the performance. Despite a limited budget, we prepared posters ourselves, and the slogans were original, reflecting our literary background.
We engaged in various activities like face painting, slogan writing, preparing cardboard, arranging costumes, collecting props, choreography and acting- which was neccessary as we had to convey specific emotions throughout Kalayatra. While didn't secure a rank, the value lies in the hard work and dedication we invested in making our participation vibrant. The learning experience was invaluable.
Here I have attached the video of our part of Kalayatra. The videography is done by Ronak Sanghavi- REDDOT Filmography.
Examining the overall thematic expressions in the various tableaux of Kalayatra, Narishakti Vandana and Mission Chandrayan took center stage. Additionally, the disadvantages of mobile usage were also presented.
Major themes in dramatic events like One Act Play (एकांकी), Skit (लघु नाटक), Mime (मूक अभिनय), Mono-acting (एक पात्रीय अभिनय)
One Act Play:
A one-act play is a type of drama that has only one act, as opposed to plays that have multiple acts. It involves themes like Love, Marriage, Divorce, Justice, Crime, Punishment, Law, Superstitions, Customs, and Manners. 4 A.M. by Jonathan Dorf and Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare are the best examples of it.
I have attended several one act plays in Youth Festival.
Kashmir Crisis:
The play delves into the harsh realities and challenges experienced by the people of Kashmir, offering insight into the pain and suffering they endure. It portrays the uncertainty that pervades their lives and the profound impact it has on their families. One woman, whose husband was abducted by terrorists, undergoes a cruel ordeal, including rape, and is left in the dark about whether her husband is still alive.
In essence, the play vividly depicts themes of loss, violence, cruelty, and the mental conditions of people living in Kashmir.
Laxmi:
"Laxmi" narrates the story of a girl born with four hands. Initially, she is revered by everyone, but her father overlooks the fact that she is just a girl with her own aspirations in life. Like any other person, she desires freedom and the opportunity to play. Unfortunately, she becomes a mere tool for her father's financial gain. Madhav is the only one who comprehends her struggles. However, she is eventually forced into marriage and experiences sexual assault at the hands of her father-in-law. Tragedy relentlessly pursues her, leading to her eventual suicide.
Themes: Societal expectations, Personal Desires, Cruelty, Superstitions
વાત એક વ્યથાની -Vat Ek Vyathani
This play weaves multiple narratives, encompassing stories within stories. Female characters such as Sita, Kaikayi, Urmila, and Manthra continue to endure unchanging situations. However, the play endeavors to shift these narratives as it progresses. In this altered narrative, Sita doesn't go to the jungle, Kaikayi doesn't seek Ram's exile, and Manthra refrains from manipulating Kaikayi.
A notable aspect is that the play begins with a female writer led by these ancient women in reshaping their narratives. It underscores the idea that whether women are working professionals or homemakers, they are compelled to fulfill their household duties.
"બુદ્ધિ ને પ્રતિભા બધુ ઘરના પગથિયે છોડીને ઘરની અંદર જવું પડે છે. "
The play attempts to bring a new perspective to the portrayal of women in ancient stories.
The overall shift in the depiction of women is strongly evident in the concluding line of the play:
"ન દેવી ન રાક્ષસી, અમને માત્ર સ્ત્રી રહેવા દો."
In this context, the work of Virginia Woolf, 'The Room of One’s Own,' can be compared , highlighting how women have their evolving roles and perspectives in life.
Skit:
A skit is a short, humorous play or performance typically presented in a light-hearted and entertaining manner. Skits are often brief and focus on conveying a specific message, idea, or comedic situation. They are commonly used in various settings, such as schools, events, or social gatherings, to engage and entertain the audience.
The skits presented during the event were predominantly centered around current scenarios, bringing forth good themes that were well-executed.
The first skit addressed the issue of superstitions prevalent in society. It depicted people in distress turning to self-proclaimed spiritual leaders who exploit them by demanding significant amounts of money.
This portrayal served as an example of how individuals often get entangled in such beliefs, reflecting the broader societal context.
The next skit addressed the challenges associated with the Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and its road construction practices.
The common issue of roads getting damaged due to the use of substandard materials was highlighted. Despite citizens paying taxes, they often suffer the consequences, facing vehicle damage and accidents. The skit approached this serious topic in a light and humorous manner. It depicted a chain of events where damaged vehicles benefit garages, accidents benefit doctors, and frequent road damage provides employment for laborers. This clever representation left a lasting impact on the audience, effectively conveying the issues surrounding road construction.
Another skit explored the clash between East and West cultures, emphasizing the crucial message of preserving one's own cultural identity.
Following that, there was a skit centered around social media and cybercrime.
It effectively highlighted the widespread use of social media and the potential risks of falling victim to cybercrimes. The skit underscored the importance of awareness in navigating the digital landscape safely.
Mono Acting
The mono acting covered various topics, like the challenges faced by different genders, the difficulties of poverty, and the story of Radha, Karna's mother. It also touched on issues within the college and told a sad story of a mother coping with the loss of her daughter. The performance included portrayals of "Godse" and a rural girl sharing an important story. Overall, the act skillfully moved through these different themes, offering a detailed and impactful representation.
Mime
Mime is an expressive form of silent performance art where actors convey stories or emotions through gestures, facial expressions, and body movements without speaking. It often includes creating the illusion of interacting with invisible objects or imaginary scenes, with performers wearing distinctive costumes and using exaggerated movements to engage the audience.
This time, the mime performances explored various themes, including:
1. Charan Kanya
2. Women Empowerment: Breaking Boundaries of Traditional Womanhood
3. The Importance of Outdoor Games Over Mobile Games
4. Achievements of India in Various Sectors
5. Life of Soldiers
These themes provided a diverse range of subjects for the performers to creatively express and engage with the audience through the art of mime.
Can you apply dramatic literary theories propounded by Aristotle (Tragedy), Ben Jonson (Comedy of Humours), Dryden (Play), Martin Esslin (Absurd theatre), Irving Wardle (Comedy of Menace) on the dramatic events presented in the Youth Festival?
We can apply various dramatic literary theories in the dramatic events presented in Youth Festival.
Dryden's definition of Play and Aristotle's Tragedy :-
According to John Dryden,
"Play is just and lively image of human nature representing its passions and humour and the changes of fortune, to which it is subject for the delight and instruction of mankind."
Dryden's definition of play can be applicable to one act plays and skit which portrayed the human nature as its passions, human and the change of fortunes. In Laxmi the basic human nature is found in laxmi who is not allowed to play or to be with her loved one Madhav. It can also be foung in 'Vat Ek Vyathani' in which all the women characters are yearning for their existence own passion.
Aristotle's definition of Tragedy can be also applicable to all the one act play.
“Tragedy is an imitation [mimēsis] of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude…through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation [catharsis] of these emotions.”
Kashmir Crisis: The play explores tragic themes like loss, violence, and the mental conditions of people in Kashmir. The uncertain fate of a woman's husband and the cruelty she faces contribute to the tragic elements, aligning with Aristotle's definition of tragedy involving a protagonist's downfall and emotional purgation.
Laxmi:Laxmi's story embodies tragic elements, with societal expectations leading to her exploitation and eventual tragic end. The themes of cruelty, superstitions, and personal desires create a tragic narrative in line with Aristotle's theory.
Vat Ek Vyathani: The play introduces tragic elements as it portrays unchanging situations for female characters. The altered narratives attempt to provide a shift, aligning with Aristotle's idea of tragedy involving a change in fortune or perspective.
Irving Wardle's Comedy of Menace
A comedy of menace is a play in which the audience laughs at some or all situations, but then feels a sense of impending disaster. The term was coined by drama critic Irving Wardle in 1958.
The skits can be seen through the lens of "comedy of manners," provided a humorous take on societal issues. The first skit comically satirized superstitions, portraying individuals seeking guidance from exploitative spiritual leaders. The comedy highlighted the absurdity of societal beliefs.
The skit about BMC and road construction employed a comedy of manners to satirize the substandard road practices. It comically depicted the consequences for citizens, turning a serious issue into a humorous commentary on poorly constructed roads.
The clash of East and West cultures was approached with humor, emphasizing the importance of preserving one's cultural identity. The comedy of manners showcased the misunderstandings and humorous situations arising from cultural clashes.
In the skit on social media and cybercrime, comedy of manners humorously underscored the widespread use of social media and the risks of cybercrimes. It delivered a humorous take on navigating the digital landscape safely.
Can you categories One Act Play or other dramatic events as sentimental / anti-sentimental comedy, comedy of manners, classical tragedy, modern tragicomedy or bollywoodish theatre performance?
Let's categorize the One Act Play and other dramatic events into the specified theatrical categories:
Kashmir Crisis: Classical Tragedy
The portrayal of harsh realities and challenges faced by the people of Kashmir, including themes of loss, violence, and uncertainty, aligns with the characteristics of classical tragedy. The play emphasizes the tragic fate of individuals, echoing traditional tragic elements.
Laxmi: Sentimental Comedy (with tragic elements)
While Laxmi contains elements of cruelty, superstitions, and societal expectations, the overall tone of the play, including the tragic ending, leans more towards sentimental comedy. It combines humor with poignant situations, emphasizing personal desires and societal issues.
Vat Ek Vyathani: Comedy of Manners
Vat Ek Vyathani, with its exploration of shifting narratives and the role of women in ancient stories, aligns with the Comedy of Manners. The play addresses societal norms and expectations related to the portrayal of women, reflecting the comedic scrutiny of manners.
Skit (Road Construction): Comedy of Menace
The skit, humorously portraying the challenges associated with road construction, falls into the category of Comedy of Menace. It introduces an underlying threat or tension through its humorous depiction of the consequences of substandard road construction.
On last day, before or after valedictory, all art events of FINE ARTS like cartooning, painting, collage, poster making, clay-modelling, installation will be open for public display. You can study themes, satire, didacticism, aestheticism in all these artistic expressions.
Watching and observing various artistic expressions is a unique opportunity to witness how artists manifest their ideas on paper and in other forms.
On the final day, all these expressions were unveiled for public display. I visited the exhibition and gleaned numerous insights from it. The artworks were centered around various themes such as Women Empowerment, Pollution, Yoga, Corruption, Inflation, Awareness, Journey, Teacher and Student, etc.
Satire:
The essence of satire was notably present in the realm of cartooning. Cartoons serve as a satirical expression of contemporary events. Noteworthy cartoons were crafted on topics like Inflation and Corruption. Cartoon generally means satire by laughing at people or situations, it can be social, political and economical. Here, I present some of the finest cartoons that resonated with me the most, encapsulating the true essence of critiquing society and its occurrences.
Didacticism:
Didacticism were seen in installation, poster making and on the spot painting
Estheticism:
Art embodies the true form of estheticism. An element of aestheticism is presented in Rangoli, Mehndi, poster making, paper collage, spot painting and Clay modelling.
This year, I actively participated in two competitions at the Youth Festival – Rangoli and the Elocution Competition. I secured the second rank in Rangoli, showcasing my artistic skills. For the Elocution Competition, I chose the emerging topic of 'Artificial Intelligence.' Although I didn't secure a rank, I am content that my performance met my expectations. In the previous year, my participation in Cartooning didn't result in a rank, but this time, I am glad to see that my efforts paid off.
I took part in two events - Rangoli and the Elocution competition. Fortunately, both events were scheduled for the same day, the 4th of November. While I was able to attend events on the 3rd and 5th, unfortunately, I couldn't make it to the events on the 4th. The silver lining, however, was that all the events were live-streamed, and the recordings are also available on the University's YouTube Channel. This allowed me to catch up on them later.
I made an effort to attend most of the events, aiming to gain something valuable and learn meaningful insights. Given my focus on language and literature in my studies, I observed that all the fields covered in the Youth Festival, in one way or another, share a connection with literature. This connection extends to both contemporary and ancient times, providing a pathway to explore new ideas.
This is the very reason why Barad sir emphatically says us to attend all the events. Moreover, it is mandatory for us to attend all the events, as we have to craft a comprehensive blog, applying various literary theories and terms to each events. This practice allows us to scrutinize the presentation of both new and current ideas, cultivating a deeper understanding of their representation. The Festival demonstrated a harmonious blend of novelty and familiar elements, running parallel which contributes to a rich and diverse experience.
The festival presented a mix of novelty and the recurrence of familiar elements, running in parallel. This juxtaposition allowed for a rich and diverse experience, contributing to the overall tapestry of the festival.
Festival of Youthfulness - युवानी कामहोत्सव.
Experiencing the Youth Festival feels like diving into a lively mix of youthfulness. It's not just a bunch of events; it's an emotion and a big celebration of young people's energy, creativity, and smart thinking. The festival is a stage for young folks to express themselves, try out different art forms, and have important conversations.
Going to the Youth Festival isn't only about watching performances; it's about sensing the lively spirit of youth. The excitement, enthusiasm, and clever ideas from the participants create a lively atmosphere. The festival shows how dynamic and creative young people can be, proving their ability to express themselves and make a real impact.
Youth Festival is a celebration of the lively and innovative spirit that defines youthfulness. It captures the idea that young people aren't just the future; they're actively shaping the present with their ideas, expressions, and artistic endeavors. The festival, known as 'युवानी का महोत्सव,' truly lives up to its name, embodying the essence of youthfulness in all its diverse and vibrant forms.
Thanks to Dilip Barad sir for always encouraging us to be part of such events and apart from that being the keen observers. Special thanks to Vaidehi ma'am and Megha ma'am for your help, support and guidance throughout the youth festival as team managers. Thanks to Alpa ma'am for your continous support in making the participation in Kalayatra possible.
A heartfelt thanks to Dilip Barad sir for his unwavering encouragement, urging us to actively participate and keenly observe events like the Youth Festival. Special gratitude to Vaidehi ma'am and Megha ma'am for their invaluable help, support, and guidance as team managers. Your presence and assistance truly made the Youth Festival experience memorable.
A special acknowledgment to Alpa ma'am for your continuous support in making our participation in Kalayatra possible. Your efforts and guidance played a crucial role in shaping our representation.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to nurturing our talents and fostering a vibrant learning environment.
These themes provided a diverse range of subjects for the performers to creatively express and engage with the audience through the art of mime.
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