1. What Motivated You To Start a Drama Team
In UPG? Was It Hard To Lay The Foundation Of
Drama in College?
Ahan Nirban and Aaryan Deshande are two theatre “freaks” whose passion
and love for theatre and art is inspiring. They just wanted to do something.
They are the definition of the phrase “don’t tell me sky is the limit when there
are footsteps on the moon.”
For Ahan, he did not want to look back at his college life and wonder what all
he could have achieved.
For Aaryan, it was the realization that sulking around and missing doing drama
in his previous college will not help him. He said, “when you’re so passionate
about something, nothing can or will come in between.”
To lay the foundation of a new team in college can be a hard task, but they
managed to handle it skillfully. With a beautiful vision in their minds and the
stubbornness to achieve anything they set their eyes on, they eventually
gained the support of the college staff and students.
“If people think we are a cult, then so be it.” – Aaryan Deshpande.
They’re love for theatre was too pure to care about what other people thought
of them.
2. How Has the Entire Journey been for You?
“I don’t know about acting, but I surely grew as a human being”-Aaryan
Deshpande.
They both learnt and grew a lot through this process. They started off as a
scattered team but ended up becoming this huge loving family. The bonds and
stories they have with each person from the team is so unique and special.
They won everything they set their eyes on. To quote our dramatic founders,
“Success tha, college ka support tha, dost the, aur kya chaiye?”
They did not plan for this to happen, but they got emotionally attached to the
team making it even harder for them to leave the family they made.
Drama team just doesn’t polish your skills, but also builds you as a person. It
forces you to imagine, create and express.
3. Does the Team Solely Focus on Acting?
Drama Team was never meant for just acting. There is so much more to it.
It helps you explore theatre, the different aspects of theatre ranging from
directing to writing to productions to ideations.
This team, together, helps the members to come out of their comfort zone, to
express freely, and to just be true to yourself. You get to learn such different
perspectives about interesting topics during the researching process too.
It triggers imagination and helps build confidence by forcing you to step out.
4. Why does the Drama Team not Conduct any Interviews or Auditions like other Committees?
“The doors of the Drama Team are open for anyone at any point of time.”
–Ahan Nirban.
The reason it’s called it a drama team and not a committee or a club is because
here they are all equals, some might be more experienced than others, but
every day, each person learns and ends up teaching something to everyone in
some or the other way.
“We were no one to judge anybody’s capabilities, we were just here to start
something new” they said.
They believe that only a person well versed with each and every aspect of
theatre was at the position to take an audition.
5. What Are Some Drama Team Traditions?
Just like any other family, the drama team too has its own traditions.
If anyone from the team lied about their whereabouts, they would have to
treat the entire team with delicious food.
An overnight trip out of Bombay at least once a year to relax and enjoy was
planned.
A very important phrase, “Ego aur chappal bahar” was respected and followed
by all the team members. There was no place for ego in this team.
Eating lunch together in a big round circle during each process just chatting
and sharing.
Playing “zip zap zoom” a fun game which most of the members have mastered
in now.
And the most important one, respect every team member’s commercial work
and have a mutual understanding about the same. Stand up for the members
in unity if disrespected by anyone.
6. Why doesn't the Drama Team follow any Hierarchy?
They believe in “give and take.”
Each day they learn something new from each member.
There was guidance for sure to lead the team in a particular direction but they
didn’t believe that they know everything to assume a particular position.
7. What Kind of Workshops do you Conduct for Newcomers?
The workshops in theatre are never ending.
From basic drama workshops like stamina building exercises, performance
based and voice modulation exercises to team building exercises, the drama
team’s main motto was always to get out of your comfort zone and feel your
unexplored self, a new self.
They emphasized the importance of being comfortable with each other. Some
workshops focus solely on opening up to your team members, workshops can
get heavy too sometimes but there are also too many playful learning
workshops.
8. Would you like to Convey something to our First Year Students?
“Do something, its ok if it’s not drama, but do something; join some committee
and make the best out of these three years.”- Ahan Nirban.
"Join it, it’s an experience, if nothing, you will have a story to tell, good or bad? I can’t promise.”- Aaryan Deshpande.
drama team is the best