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J for Junta
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A behind-the-scenes account of what went into making Saarang 2004
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THIS ONE'S a tribute to the junta at IIT — the chaps who pulled off the biggest Saarang ever. The chaps who had the crowds rocking the woods and sponsors grinning from ear to ear for five days that ended on January 26.
It turns out that the junta at IIT sprung into action by August, studying the Saarang files of previous years. They had a clear objective: to exploit Saarang to the fullest potential in terms of sponsorships and to make Saarang an experience of a kind for the students. Thus, the line `Love Life. Live a Saarang' was born.
Twelve core members formed seven committees, just to make things a little organised. After all, manufacturing fun is serious business. There were guys doing Sponsorship, a committee for Public Relations, another for Media, one each for ticketing, hospitality, external publicity (bill-boards) and events.
First, the sponsorships guys delivered. A Rs. 33 lakh-plus budget was met successfully. Then the ticketing junta toiled throughout the month to boost sales. They stood outside Sathyam theatre, talking to people waiting for "Virumaandi". They were there outside Coffee Day, Anna Nagar. Outside Ispahani Center. When you were busy chilling out during the Pongal holidays, the foot soldiers of Saarang were everywhere, giving away pamphlets with details of the fest.
The events committee pulled off a coup — the fest did pull some Strings of the heart and the show ended with Euphoria! Once the party started and the fest got underway, the junta realised they needed more than 24 hours during the day if they had to find a slot for sleep.
The hospitality committee especially, had a gigantic task — taking care of 10,000 students, about a 1,000 from out of town most of them had to be dropped off at the station. And the external publicity guys propped up the city with Saarang notice-boards (in case you still had not known who all were performing).
Kalyan (cultural secretary), great job man! Sanjeet Cherian and Vijay, the media co-ordination was near perfect. And Sarath Chandra, belated birthday dude (Udit Narayan flew down for his birthday incidentally!) Some of these guys actually upset their Dean to ensure that the media did get to interact with Udit after he arrived late. But given what they pulled off, the Dean must be a pleased man.
What did the junta from the PR committee do? Come on, it's all over the papers!
SUDHISH KAMATH
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