The APOGEE English Press sat down with the coordinator of the Department of Sounds, Arnav Mathur, to gain an insight into the work carried out by the team during the fest.
He relayed that the department handled sound equipment for nearly all events that took place at the Main Auditorium— from the fest inauguration to quizzes, cultural performances, and artist showcases. He explained that while sound mixing is a skill the department possesses, it is primarily deployed during larger musical events such as Dhwani and Music Night. For these occasions, the team arrived one to two days in advance to conduct sound checks and ensure that all the equipment met performance standards. For events involving external production teams, the department played a role in bridging the technical gap between the visiting crew and the hosting club.
Discussing the challenges faced, the coordinator noted that the department’s limited membership–fewer than ten members– made workload distribution a persistent difficulty. This pressure intensified in the days leading up to the fest, when club rehearsals ran almost continuously. He further acknowledged that equipment reliability remained an ever-present concern, recounting an incident from the previous fest where a key piece of gear had failed due to a power outage. However, the team resolved the issue in under five minutes.
Arnav added that the department’s small size was, in many ways, an intentional choice, as it fostered stronger communication and coordination within the team. He noted that new members gained technical knowledge directly through their seniors, making experience and personal mentorship central to how the department sustained its expertise across batches.
He highlighted that working with his peers at the Department of Sounds had been a thoroughly enjoyable experience, appreciating the close-knit and collaborative nature in which every member was considered equally responsible and equally involved.
On an ending note, Arnav expressed that the greatest indicator of the department’s success was one the audience would never consciously notice: a performance where nothing went wrong, and sound was simply never a concern.