Performing Arts Festival

The Performing Arts Festival, abbreviated as PAF, is the biggest inter-hostel cultural competition in the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay located at Powai in Mumbai (India). The term PAF is used to refer not only to the festival itself, but also to the individual cultural performances that constitute the festival.

H3-H6 PAF Dastak, introducing street play as a sub-drama in the PAF

Both undergraduate and graduate students at IIT Bombay participate in the preparation and organization of the festival. Typically six hostels (out of eighteen) are grouped together by random draw for each PAF. Though technically a drama, each PAF comprises contributions from several of the cultural arts including dramatics, literature, music, fine arts, debating and dance. Since 1999, the PAF has been held at the Open Air Theater (OAT) inside the Students' Activity Center (SAC), within the main campus of IIT Bombay.[1] Typically, all dialogues at PAF are delivered using voice overs and not by the actors themselves, mainly owing to the large size and structure of the OAT. This requires co-ordination between the actors and the voice actors.

Prod

A scene from Déja Vu by Hostels 1, 4, 9 and 11 on 28 March 2006

The major work of a PAF is the preparation of the sets by fellow students. It is commonly called prod or prodwork, abbreviations for productions. Prod consists of making sets using bamboo, jute rope and screens made with layers of newspaper glued together by freshmen and seniors in co-operation. Structures strong enough to hold the weight of more than two or three people have been prepared. In the PAF of 2007, for instance, a two-storeyed set was made in order to give the dramatists a chance to perform at an elevated level.

Production sets require a maximum amount of man hours to put them in place. Building of production sets (usually from bamboo) starts about a month before the PAF. The teams are allowed 3 days to install the sets and perform the finishing touches in the Open Air Theater.

Theme and language

PAFs can be made in Hindi or English. Themes chosen are usually serious and have been drawn from history, science fiction, social injustice, biographies etc. The only caveat is that the scripts are expected to be original.

Grouping

Though seemingly random, the teams are formed in a way that ensures fair chance for each. The pool of hostels is split into tiers based on their overall standings in the inter hostel cultural general championships (GCs) held throughout the year. The tiers then get split and mixed with other tiers either through a draw or mutual consensus.

Major changes

  • 2004 - Hostel 1 becomes a regular participant, having appeared only thrice in the past eleven years.
  • 2006 - Number of PAFs brought down from five to four. The maximum team size increases to four.
  • 2014-15 - New hostels 15 and 16 get added to the hostel pool.
  • 2016 - The number of PAFs was brought down by one, to three in total, owing to the burden on resources and budget constraints. The teams now consist of six hostels each, the largest till date.

Recent PAFs

The PAF season is at IIT Bombay during the last fortnight of March and the first week of April each year, officially culminating all the extracurricular activities of IIT Bombay for that academic year. Some recent PAFs include:

T = Tie
Main language used is Hindi unless stated otherwise

YearPAF NameHostelsDateOverall positionIndividual awardsDescriptionRef.
2017 A Silent Song 1, 3, 4, 10, 13, 15BMar 212nd Runner-UpVoice-overs, DanceTBased on the hardships of the relation between a father and a daughter. Elements in the dances were highly appreciated. Fusion of four different dance forms in one was the main attraction.

[2]

Nazariya 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, TansaMar 26Runner-UpDepicted the dilemmas one faces and how our opinions are essentially biased based on our perspectives. It stressed on not following the herd mentality and not having blind faith.
Rannbhoomi 2, 5, 9, 14, 15C, 16BMar 31WinnerScript, Acting, Lights, Costumes, Music, Direction, DanceT, Video, Prod, Fine ArtsWon 10 out of 11 trophies; was a poignant depiction of the intertwined and vicious political scenario and the effect it has on university students. It showed the struggle for freedom of expression, religious turmoil and how far some people go to get political benefits.
2016 Daira 2, 5, 7, 13, 15C, TansaMar 22Runner-UpActing, Music, Direction, DanceSpecially applauded for dance and music; Depicted a girl’s dilemma over her sexuality while being pushed into a marriage; Portrayed the taboo of same sex marriage in Indian society

[3]

Apratyaksh 1, 4, 9, 10, 14, 16BMar 27WinnerLights, Costumes, VideoRevolved about the theme as how deception could be used for power. It narrated the story of a "Behroopiya" who lures an entire kingdom into believing his immaculate acting and his "Swaangs" and overthrows the king to ascend the throne.
Muntazir 3, 6, 8, 11, 12, 15BApr 012nd Runner-UpScript, Voice-over, Prod, Fine ArtsProduction included a mini-bus sized movable ship
2015 Keta (English) 2, 3, 11, 14, 15AMar 22Runner-UpDance, Lights, Prod, VideoWon Gem of the PAF for Underwater Dance Element

[4]

Pahal 7, 9, 10A, 12, 16CMar 252nd Runner-UpActing, Music
Discovery of Indya 1, 5, 8, 10Mar 28WinnerScript, Direction, Voice-over, Acting, VideoRevolves around a court case where a writer is indicted for writing a controversial book on the political leaders of India around the independence era
Aahuti 4, 6, 13, 15C, TansaMar 313rd Runner-UpProd, Costumes, Fine ArtsPortrayed the character of Chanakya, the Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist and royal advisor and his role in shaping the establishment of the Maurya Empire under the reign of Chandragupta Maurya
2014 Lohar 4, 5, 11, 13, TansaMar 233rd Runner-UpScript

[5] [6]

Pehchaan 1, 6, 9, 10Mar 26Joint WinnerActing, Voice-over, Music, Direction, Video (Trailer)
Kolahal 7, 8, 14, 10A, TypeC quartersMar 292nd Runner-UpProd
Ekla Cholo Re 2, 3, 12, 15Apr 01Joint WinnerDance, Costumes, Lights, Fine Arts (Aesthetics)Based on the life of Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose
2013 Satrangi 3, 7, 13, 14Mar 153rd Runner-Up

[7]

Mandali 5, 9, 12Mar 18WinnerMusicT, Fine Arts (Aesthetics), ProdT, Script, Voice-over, Costumes, LightsTGreatly applauded for its stage setup, aesthetics and music
Delhi Beats 2, 8, 11, TansaMar 21Runner-UpActing, Dance, Direction (Staging), Video (Film)Set against the sensitive backdrop of rape, molestation and eve-teasing in Delhi
Bisaat 1, 4, 6, 10Mar 252nd Runner-UpMusicT, ProdT, LightsT
2012 Maun 2, 9, 10Mar 21Runner-Up(Hindi: मौन, lit., Silence)

[8]

Aawhan 4, 6, 12, 14Mar 25
Antbahaar 1, 3, 11, 13Mar 29WinnerMusic, Prod, Costumes, Voice-over, Dance (Choreography), Direction, Lights, Script, Fine Arts(Hindi: अंत बहार, lit., Last Drop Of Spring); Winning 9 out of 9 different aspects of PAF
Prime Minister (English) 5, 7, 8, TansaApr 022nd Runner-UpStrongly based on the life of Rajiv Gandhi, the prime minister of India who was assassinated by the LTTE
2011 Zoon 3, 5, 10Mar 25Runner-UpMusic, Prod, CostumesUrdu: rich Hindi

[9]

Golden Quadrilateral 2, 8, 12, 13Mar 29WinnerVoice-over, Dance (Choreography), Screenplay, Lights
Walong 4, 9, 14Apr 032nd Runner-UpT
Chashm-E-Nam 1, 6, 7, 11Apr 072nd Runner-UpTScript
2010 Ramleela 4, 10, 13Mar 183rd Runner-Up(Hindi: रामलीला, lit., Ram's play)

[10]

Panchhi re 1, 3, 9, 12Mar 22WinnerScript, Dance, Screenplay, Acting, Voice-over(Hindi: पंछी रे, lit., O' Bird);
Mai Mati 5, 6, 11Mar 26Runner-UpMusic, Costumes(lit., My soil)
Antaragni 2, 7, 8, TansaMar 302nd Runner-UpProd, Lights(Hindi: अंतराग्नि, lit., The Fire Within)
2009 Karvat 5, 9, 12, TansaMar 202nd Runner-Up(Hindi: करवट, lit., Turn aside)
If Tomorrow Comes 3, 8, 11Mar 23Runner-Up
Najafgarh Express 6, 7, 10Mar 26
Arthur Road 1, 2, 4, 13Mar 30WinnerAll except Music and Costumes
2008 Arsh 1, 7, 8, 13Mar 182nd Runner-Up(Urdu: عرش, lit., Throne)

[11]

U-Turn 4, 9, 10Mar 21Runner-Up
1984 5, 6, 12, TansaMar 25
The Show Goes On... 2, 3, 11Mar 28Winner
2007 Aashayein 3, 8, 10Mar 18(Hindi: आशाएँ, lit., Hopes)

[5]

Saare Jahaan Se Achha[12][13] 1, 5, 11, 13Mar 21WinnerDance (Choreography)(lit., The Best in the World); Won Gem of PAF for the final choreography sequence
Numb-D 2, 6, 9Mar 24
Good Morning 4, 7, 12Mar 27
2006 Asrār 2, 8, 7Mar 192nd Runner-UpCostumes(Hindi: असरार, lit., the secret)

[14]

Kharāshen 13, 6, 10, TansaMar 22Runner-UpVoice-over(Hindi: ख़राशें, lit, the scratches)
Camouflages 3, 5, 12Mar 253rd Runner-UpThe first PAF ever to use the F-word and orgasm.
Déjà Vu 1, 4, 9, 11Mar 28Winner7 out of 9(French, lit., already seen); based on the life of an IITian
2005 Lāl Rekhā-Ek Marīchikā 2, 7, 11Mar 20Script(Hindi: लाल रेखा-एक मरीचिका, lit., the red line-an illusion)

[1]

Satyoaham 9, 13, TansaMar 232nd Runner-Up(Hindi: सत्योऽहम, lit., I am the truth); Portrayed the conflict between the truth and self-ego.
Bombay 1, 5, 10Mar 27Runner-UpActingT, Costume, Prod, Publicity(Hindi: बॉम्बे); About 3 characters - an actor, a journalist and a local goon - who want to make it big in their respective fields and the way they achieve their goals in the great city of Bombay
Kastūrī 4, 8, 12Mar 30(Hindi: कस्तूरी, lit., musk)
Dastak 3, 6Apr 02WinnerMusic, Lights, Direction, Screenplay, Voice-Over, ActingT, Dance (Choreography)(Hindi: दस्तक, lit., knocking); Based on the life of Safdar Hashmi, great writer, actor and activist
2004 Āhvān 2, 5Mar 222nd Runner-UpActing, Voice-over, Costumes, Dance (Choreography)(Hindi: आह्वान, lit., invoking)
Agnihotra 7, 10, TansaMar 26Publicity(Hindi: अग्निहोत्र, lit., the fire-sacrifice)
Far from Vietnam (English) 3, 9, 12Mar 29
Asāfeer 6, 8, 11Apr 01Runner-UpScript, Prod, Lights(Hindi: असाफ़ीर, lit., sparrow); in Urdu-rich Hindi
Lākshāgrih 1, 4, 13Apr 04WinnerMusic, Direction(Hindi: लाक्षागृह, lit., the house made up of shellac)
2003 Le Peintre de Mort (English) 2, 6Mar 22(French, lit., the painter of death)
Child's Play (English) 4, 11Mar 25
Omicidio (English) 9, 10, TansaMar 28(Italian, lit., the homicide)
Shānte Mrigayam 3, 5Apr 07WinnerAll except Dance and Costumes(Hindi: शान्ते मृगयम्, lit., the peaceful deer)
Anth 7, 8Apr 10(Hindi: अन्त, lit., the end)
2002 Avshesh 8, 9WinnerActingT, Prod, Fine-Arts, Costumes(Hindi: अवशेष, lit., Residue)
La Isla dela Musica, La Isla del Amor (English) 2, 10, TansaApr 04Runner-UpActingT, Voice-over, Music, Dance (Choreography)(Spanish, lit., the island of music, the island of love)
Aham Brahmasmi 4, 5(Hindi: अहम् ब्रह्मास्मि, lit., I am Brahman)
Aahuti 1, 3, 11Mar 212nd Runner-Up(Hindi: आहुति, lit. the sacrifice)
14:12 (English) 6, 7(a Biblical reference)
2001 Thespian (English) 2, 7Winner
Dansh 4, 9(Hindi: दंश, lit., the snake-bite)
Asakth 8, 10(Hindi: आसक्त, lit., the addiction)
Nimaad 3(Hindi: निमाड, popular for maa reva, the river Narmada)
Pratyancha 5, 11Runner-Up(Hindi: प्रत्यंचा, lit., the Bowstring)
2000 Rashtroday 2, 9Costumes(Hindi: राष्ट्रोदय, lit., the rise of the nation)
Al-Qasas 5, 8WinnerLights, Prod, Direction, Dance (Choreography), ScreenplayT, MusicT, ActingT(Hindi: अल-क़सस, Urdu / Arabic: lit., The Story); Best Actor: Vaibhav GuptaT
Sarhad 3, 4Runner-UpScreenplayT, MusicT, ActingT(Hindi: सरहद, lit., border)
Asambhav 1, 7, 112nd Runner-UpBest Actor: Bharat GargT
1999 Abhimanyu 3, 7Winner(Hindi: अभिमन्यु, see Abhimanyu of the Hindu mythology)
Where There is a Will (English) 4, 10, Tansa
All for Love (English) 5, 6
1998 The Dream Theater (English) 2, 3Winner
OR (English) 4, 5
The Artist (English) 6, 7
Ek Adhura Kalpavriksha 9, 10
1997 ...In Love and War (English) 2, 5
Nightfall (English) 6, 8Runner-Upbased on the Isaac Asimov story
Mrigtrishna (English) 7, 3, TansaWinner
1995 The End 4, 8Joint Winner
Harlequin Chevalerie 3, 7Joint Winner
The Twilight Zone 1, 9, 11
1994 Raga Saaga 7, 8
"Any Dream Will Do" 3, 10Winner
The Unforgiven 4, 9
1993 Locomotivation 3, 9Winner
1991 Moonstone[15] 6, 9
Songs of Distant Earth 2, 7Winner

It has been observed that 2002 was the last time when the team performing first won the PAF.

See also

References

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