The APOGEE English Press sat down with Aditya Iyer, the coordinator of the Department of Lights, to get an understanding of the work done by the department.

When asked about the department, Iyer stated that the department dates back to the late 80s, when the departments of Lights and Sounds had split off from the Department of Stage Controls (Backstage), and altogether made three separate departments. This change happened as their work never really overlapped much except during fests. Since then, the department has gone from being a fest-only department to a department that operates whenever lights are required.

Iyer mentioned that their workload during APOGEE is lesser than during OASIS, which is when many clubs and departments hold events in the main auditorium. However, during APOGEE, their biggest focus is the inauguration ceremony. Other than the inauguration, N2O  is the other main event. He said that the event count for this year’s APOGEE is comparatively lower. He mentioned that a lot of talks that were to be held in the main auditorium had been relocated to the New Academic Block, as ‘the auditorium there looks fuller with fewer people and leaves a better impression on the speaker.’

When asked about the preparations leading up to APOGEE, Iyer said that so far no work had been started. They would start by practising with the Dance Club, Mime Club, and other clubs that perform in the auditorium to perfect the lighting sequences. Other than practice, the department needs to talk to the technicians in the Audio-Visual (AV) lab to make sure the required forms have been filled. When further asked about the complexity of the lighting sequences, he mentioned that the lights are programmed to run like a slideshow. He said that one click of a button instantly changes the lighting sequence. However, this is mainly used in Dance Club performances because of the fast-paced changes required.

Iyer said that recently the department had acquired new equipment, and thus, their worries about new equipment had been resolved. He said that the only challenge being faced currently would be coordination between the various clubs and the department. The department acts as an intermediary between the AV lab and clubs.

When asked about the performance of the recruits in the department, Iyer said that they learned quickly and showed promise. He reminisced over how in his second year, the department had only two people on campus, including him, and thus, he had to work excessively hard back then.

When prompted about his experience as the coordinator, Iyer stated that it was a satisfying experience. He said that it introduced him to a lot of different people from different clubs, and it brought him out of his shell.

As final words for the general public, Iyer said that he had observed a great deal of people leaving for home, especially around holidays such as Holi, and he did not exclude APOGEE from this classification. He said that this kills the mood of a fest, as the campus starts to turn empty, which he said ends up becoming a case of ‘only if you are in a club can you participate in the fest.’ He said that such a situation was not good for inclusivity and that a fest would not be able to be enjoyed to its full potential. He encouraged people to stay back during APOGEE and to experience the fest.