Any MBA aspirant will tell you that MBA is all about night-outs and studies. An MBA student feels it is damn hectic, What with so many case studies, the groups, the assignments and the pre-class and post-class quizzes. An MBA graduate feels he spent 2 wonderful years of his life in the BSchool. But I guess, most of the MBA Grads feel that they could have done something more meaningul than just studying and doing group works and solving cases after cases!
We need not feel the same!!! We, the 30 Gaspians of SPJIMR Class of 2006! We did not care much about studies during the 1 month long practice for "The Final Solutions"! It was the passion of Anupam Joshi that saw the birth of GASP in our seniors' batch. It is the passion and desire and energy of Issac John which took GASP to new heights this year. One day he sent out a mail to the batch asking the people interested in dramatics to meet on top of the Audi. It was in september I guess. I also went. I had written, directed and acted in a play in JNV Balehonnur in XI Std. That was in 1997 and the play was in Kannada!
We discussed about stagng a play and at the end of the discussion we were asked to search for the scripts. Many of us just did not even make an attempt to search for the script(including me). Again it was Issaac, Anish and couple of others who searched for some scripts. Finally "The Final Solutions" was chosen as the right script!
In Januray 2005, we all met again, In the first meeting we were informed about the script. We all were asked to come prepared to act out a particular portion of the script. It was the scene of Smita identifying the 2 boys and Ramnik questioning Smita as to who they are and how she knew them. There were many aspirants to act. No one knew how to choose actors. Vivek and Shweta pitched in saying they were ready to direct since they had experience in doing so. Rajeev willingly joined them. Indu also joined the team and so a team of 4 directors was born! Issac ofcourse was there to help them.
We all acted, once as Ramnik, then as Javed then as Bobby!!! that day we just enacted one scene and we went back. The next day we enacted a diferent scene. It was the second day when everyone was sure of one role and one guy - Javed and Farhan. This man was just outstanding for the role. The confidence with which he acted in those scenes was just amazing.
The rest of the decisions were taken only on the final day. Nikhil as bobby, Issac himsel as Ramnik Megha as Aruna, Anindita as Smita, Gitanjali as Hardika and Natasha as Daksha.
The MOB was offered to Anish,Hari,KP, Ankush and me.
One day rest in between and we started practicing. Rajeev directed the MOB. MOB had a lot to play in the First act. We in the MOB knew that duration of our role is very less in the play but the stage can be set on fire by the MOB!!!
We saw Farhan and Nikhil practicing with Vivek. Shweta and Indu directing Gitanjali and Natasha. Every one pitched in.
We went on practicing. It was time for stage design , costumes , lights and sounds!!! This is the time I found some real talent in SPJIMR!!! Aranyak with Sounds, Anurag on the lights, Arun, Naina , Suchi doing PR job to perfection, Surabhi for the costumes. Sachin the scheduler, Sujith and Eashwari for stage design and helping in almost all the departments., Alok taking the overall backstage responsibility, Parinaz and Rekha taking care of props. Soundarya with the accounts.
We had nice fun!
The D-Day was 16th Feb. Wednesday. Th snacks from 8Pm tp 8.30PM. The play started at 8.40PM , With absolutely no light and with a haunting theme music. Everyone excelled in their performances. It was an amazing evening!!
Well... I am sure we are going to come out with one more production before we leave SPJIMR.
Finally, I can proudly say, I have done something worthwhile in SP. :-))))))
Cheerio,
KSP.
