<<<...Story of GAP by the Founders....>>>

A story Untold……. !!!

 

 

All of us have aspirations and the desire to succeed in different fields. To achieve what one wants, it is necessary to dream. Quite rightly, like they say those who don’t dream don’t have much. But those who turn their dreams into reality must have the drive, the zeal, the passion for it and the never say die attitude. With all these qualities a few students achieved what they aspired and here is how the story unfolds.

 

It was when they were in their second year of engineering, wanting do something in theatre. Prasanna Venkatesh, an electronics student, was hunting for groups and organizations wherein he could enroll himself and spark the fire for interest in theatre. While on the other side, Vivek V K and Suraj Subash, electrical students, got together for their first audition, the failure of which ignited their theatrical minds.

 

Call it destiny or luck, the three of them met in Sir MVIT campus on the first day of their fourth semester. These three minds met to exchange their ideas not knowing it were the same. They decided to undergo a theatre workshop, by a theatre company called ‘SCRIPT’ learning a format of theatre called “PLAYBACK THEATRE”. Sharath, another electrical student, whose inclusion turned the explosive trio into a stunning quad, joined them now. It was an 8-session workshop, which culminated with a performance, bringing out the confidence within them.

 

With an objective to move forward, they did a play called EVERYMAN, an adaptation of a medieval century play at some private apartments. It was performed twice due to audience demand. Furthermore, being passionate to do something in college, when they were in their 5^th semester, they put up a hilarious play called “An episode in the life of an author”. It was a situational comedy about an author. It was a big cast of 12 actors directed by the wonderful quad.

The Cast included:

1. Vivek V K                   EEE

2. Prasanna V                           ECE

3. Sharath C Nair                    EEE

4. Suraj Subash                       EEE

5. Late Vijay Narayanan   EEE

6. Madhu M K                          EEE

7. Jyothi                                  EEE

8.Arnab Sen                            EEE

9. Anil Kumar K                     EEE

10. Vaishnavi                          EEE

11. Priyadarshini                    EEE

12. Ranjeetha                          TC

 

 

 

Having put in a 2-month struggle and overcoming obstacles even a few hours before the show, they tasted success for the first time, with about 90 plus people who watched this performance of theirs.

 

Just when they were wondering what to do next, opportunity knocked at their door………they got a chance to perform at VTU, the university fest, at Davengere. Since they had only 5 days to prepare, they put up their first play, ‘Everyman’ again. Though they didn’t win there, but it was a real learning experience for them by looking at others perform.

 

After a very eventful 5^th semester, the sensational quad met at coffee day. Sipping their Cappachinos, trying to quench their thirst for theatre and rise to a new level, they conceptualized and named “GAP”, as the aim to make it the official theatre club of Sir MVIT.

 

GAP, Getting Across to People, took birth when they did a playback show exclusively for the staff of Sir MVIT on the 19^th of March 2005. The name of the group was their very motto. Mr. K V R Prasad, then the cultural convener, was very supportive in initiating GAP.

 

They spread the word about GAP, and came across quite a few enthusiasts who have been instrumental in GAP’s growth. To name a few:

1. Amrutha Varshini               IS

2. Nischitha                                       ECE    

3. Ashok V                                         TC

4. Nikhil Dev                          ME      

5. Prajwal Sabnis                              ME

6. Vijay Claud                                    EEE

7. Aravind T S                                  EEE

 

With the little but valuable experience the four of them had, they conducted theatre related activities every weekend for these above mentioned students. After having gained a fair amount of experience through these activities, GAP decided to compete at other college fests. Their first competition was at KSIT, on 13^th April 2005, where they did a street play. The theme was ‘colour discrimination’. Here again success didn’t come easily to GAP and its members, but as always, it was another learning experience for all of them.

 

As time passed GAP was slowly but steadily becoming known among students. Few more interested students joined in and GAP began to grow. GAP then did its first official college show as the theatre club of Sir MVIT. They did another comedy called “Two cooks and a serious lapse”, on 3^rd May 2005, which was written and directed by Prasanna V. It was a play about two cooks and their conflicting ego’s. The highlight of the show was the upcoming talent of the new members of GAP.

 

From 3 to 4 to 10 to 15, GAP was growing for sure. The university fest was fast approaching and it was time for GAP to strike back with its second attempt. As the minds were at work, Vivek V K came up with a striking concept, a story that was then transformed into a play and staged at the VTU fest in Hubli. This play was called ‘VISION’, directed by Vivek himself, and was a turning point for GAP.  It is an unusual story of a hangman. Almost 1.5 months of preparation went into this play and they went with the aim to win. We also participated in mime, which was about animal rights, directed by Nischitha.

 

But yet again, victory wasn’t there for them. Emotions overflowed from inside every actor right after the show; it was a hard phase for GAP, which didn’t last too long.

 

GAP showed its dynamic nature by taking up the responsibility of managing all theatrical events in the south zone fest, YUVAKALANJALI, at Sir Mvit. It was a mega event with 29 universities from various parts of southern India participating in 24 different events. GAP found its mentor, teacher, guide and friend Dr. Satyanarayana during this phase. Working under his leadership turned out to be a celebration of team effort for GAP. Apart from GAP members there a few others who offered more than a helping hand for this event. To name a few:

1. Deepti A                            EEE

2. Madu M K              EEE

3. Shivkiran D                       EEE

4. Anil kumar                  EEE

5. Kiran G                               EEE

6. Pavithra B              EEE

7. Anoop J S                         EEE

8. Rajeev Ranjan                   EEE

9. Shruthi D                          EEE

10. Srinivasan K L     EEE

 

Known for it’s Passion, positiveness and never say die attitude, GAP rose up and was ready to go again. This time they aimed higher than before, they aimed at the general public, they aimed at A.D.A Rangamandira.

 

Going with its motto, GAP decided they should get across to MORE people.

This time GAP received a stunning response from the first years. GAP’s total strength changed to whopping 40-members. All the older members contributed immensely in instigating the feeling of victory and success among all the new members.

 

GAP was now no more just the four guys who were there in the beginning, instead it was a single unit of 40 members all voicing similar thoughts and opinion. After series of discussions and exchange of ideas, GAP decided to stage ‘VISION’ with a lot of rework on the story and script, at A.D.A Rangamandira.

 

GAP now was becoming professional in its working. They divided themselves into various teams each having a team leader. Set design, Publicity, Costumes, Music, Event management were the various teams and of course we had the director as Vivek. Three months of sheer hard work, sweat and whatever that they could put in, they gave it all. Staying back every day after college, missing classes, labs and internals, giving up all those holidays and fun times, they practiced and practiced and practiced till the very end.

 

The show was scheduled on April 1^st 2006. GAP got great financial support from their institution Sir MVIT, thanks to honourable trustee Sreenivas Raju, principal Viresh K Basallali, V Vinayak Rao and Dr. Satyanarayana who gave them tremendous encouragement to go ahead and put up this play. GAP also got two sponsors, Aptech computers and Career launcher. Apart from this there were a lot of others who helped GAP put its first ever production.

 

April 1^st 2006 was the D-day for all the members of GAP. Though three fourth of the actors and non-actors were doing a show for the first time, they all did a fabulous job. Tension, panic, worry it was all there as the clock was about to strike 6 pm and then it was, SHOWTIME!!

 

An auditorium, which could hold 522 people, actually held about 500 people on show day. Some brilliant acting by all the actors and great lighting, music and narration and above all the enthusiasm with which the rest of the GAP members managed the event added a feather to its cap. Victory, huge success, accolades, it was all there this time for GAP.

 

GAP turned one year old on 19^th March 2006 and celebrated its birthday with its biggest success ‘Vision’. GAP always competes with itself setting new standards and learning from its mistakes. We may not have won trophies, awards or certificates but the very feeling of put up a production on our own and the memories we carry weigh more than anything else. It’s a completely student run group. Here no one works for anybody but everyone works for GAP. GAP believes in everything that they take up. If there is a synonym which could replace the word GAP for an instance is “TOGETHERNESS”.

 

GAP’s journey through time has been rough and full of ups and downs. But they still stood tall and faced them with a smile on their face. Finally, a message you could take back from GAP after you read this article is:

 

“ Obstacles are not insurmountable when passion is the driving force !!! “

 

 

 

GAP

Getting Across to People