At the mention of ‘Mithali’, APOGEE’s cultural extravaganza, Music Club Secretary Ayush P Vohra beams with excitement. On being prodded about the club and its activities during the technical festival, he elaborates-
AEP: The Music Club has performances year-round. What’s in store for audiences this APOGEE?
Vohra: Unlike Oasis, we do not host any competitive events during APOGEE. Our main function is performing in Mithali. The songs performed are done so with intricate detail, the result of intense practice pre-APOGEE.
AEP: Could you give us an idea of the kind of music that we will hear in Mithali?
Vohra: We are performing eight instrumentally and vocally challenging songs. We have tried to include music of various genres – including AR Rahman’s ‘Chalka Chalka Re’ from the movie Saathiya, Rush’s ‘The Spirit of the Radio’ and a song by the Indian alternative rock band, Avial.
AEP: Just over a week to go, is the preparation going as per schedule? How are the first years handling their first Mithali?
Vohra: The preparation is going well. The songs are divided instrumentally and time slots are allotted for each instrumentalist to pick up their parts. The juniors are enthusiastic. Mithali is viewed as a learning opportunity because of the elevated intensity of practice and performance. Juniors are surprised at the amount of work that goes into getting a song ready for performing on the Mithali stage.
[Joint Secretary quip: And the secretary is working his butt off.]
Vohra: The last week means increased practice, hard work and attention to detail. The two days preceding Mithali will be dedicated to run-throughs.
AEP: Are there any particular concerns you have about the performance this APOGEE?
Vohra: The music club schedule has been hectic this semester. The time for Mithali practices was shorter than in previous years. A lot of work has been done in very little time. The coming week will be all about refining the sound quality of our music.
AEP: The mime and dance clubs perform in Mithali as well. Does the Music Club view the show as a competition?
Vohra: Mime, dance and music are completely different art forms. All three clubs do a fantastic job in Mithali and we hope to make our mark.
AEP: The music club hosts and competes in events during Oasis, but not in APOGEE. As a member of the music club, do you prefer one fest over the other?
Vohra: The function of the Music Club in Oasis and Apogee take on different angles. Oasis, being a cultural fest, allows a larger competitive involvement for the club. However, the songs we perform for Mithali are as musically challenging as those we do for Oasis. As a fest, however, Oasis has more music around; it is focused on cultural elements unlike APOGEE, where Mithali is the sole show of music.
AEP: Any message for the BITSian populace?
Vohra: We hope the audience enjoys Mithali 2012. We are trying to cover as many genres of music (including fusion, progressive rock and so on) as we can in our various performances through the year; hopefully this will encourage people to expand their playlists to include all kinds of music.
