“We prepare a lot for that one performance per semester. If you’re doing three or four things in a sem but if you can’t execute it perfectly, there’s no point” says Mime Club co-ordinator Abhisumat Barthwal, a man whose countenance alone expresses the passion and affection he has for the club he heads, and for what he does. The Mime Club has just two performances a year, one during the Oasis inauguration and one during APOGEE and yet is one of the most active clubs on campus. The performance during the Oasis inauguration comprises of 3 modules or acts which will be performed in concord with the Dance Club’s performances. This time, the club are also planning a UV light act as a part of their performance.

“Initially we majorly focus on brainstorming – in order to make up our act. It takes time as all our acts are original works. We then practice acting and sounds. In the beginning, the practice sessions last 2 hours per day for 3 or 4 weeks. It then gradually increases to 3 or 4 hours. About 10 days before oasis, we practice for about 6-7 hours a day”. The planning of the act is done by all the actors and sound artists together. The club prides itself in the fact that there is no hierarchy when it comes to this aspect of their work – anyone can give suggestions and everyone’s opinions are considered.

Several issues turn up when it comes to practising. The Dance and the Music clubs have their own rooms but the Mime club has to rely on rooms in the academic blocks for rehearsing. The fact that Oasis is scheduled a little earlier this year is another problem. “After taking a break for the mid-semesters, it takes time for the actors to come back to their optimal pace of performance. The short time between the end of mid-semesters and Oasis means that we have to practice ferociously after the Dussehra holidays”, Abhisumat says.

The only issue while performing, according to Abhisumat, is that the sound equipment is very old and the quality of sound is poor. “When you are just another performer, you are just focused on improving your performance. When you become the co-ord, you have to analyse everyone’s performance, you have to manage everything and sometimes you have to scream at people”. During the mime performance, the acting and the sounds have to be co-ordinated flawlessly – Abhisumat is sure that the club will perfect that part and will put up an exceptional performance.