Nisha's POV

The Festive Side of Education

The electric air of crowds thronging festivals, focused arguing space and detail, repairing, planning, plotting, preening, graphic tees and ragged jeans, tiny shorts, collared bangs, heated career discussions, ramp walks and debates – I never cease to be enthralled, charmed and wanting more when I visit college festivals as a jury member. One of my more endearing evenings was when I judged Sophia College’s annual fashion show. What a grand show the girls had put up! But I disagreed with the putting down of the kids’ design by one co-jury member. You can critique the detailing, the finish, the putting together of a design, but not the creative thought of a designer. As a designer myself, I believe that a design is  bout the flights of fancy and the imaginativeness that seize you. If you look at the outlandish designs that some established designers in India and beyond have put on the ramp, you will understand that it is about fantasy and flight of the mind. Especially at this stage of late teen years, I believe it is important to encourage and allow young minds to explore, create and, most importantly, to dream. Their motto should be “It’s not about the colours, or the strokes, it’s about the art that lies in you. Bring it out.” Kaleidoscope, that has been going strong for 26 years, is a great platform for Sophia College kids to unleash their creativity, dream their dreams and prepare for the world. Go and conquer it kids! I believe in you! Young minds have a plethora of ideas; I was impressed by them at Talaash, Jai Hind College’s management festival, where the theme was Voldemort. The large numbers that participate (including students from cities like Pune, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai) indicates its success. When I walk into the auditorium, the cheers give me an adrenalin rush that lasts all year. Every year, their Cultural Day astounds me with new themes and ideas in fashion, drama, dance and even the famed war of the DJs. SIES College of Commerce and Economics hosted Fantasies. The highlight was judging with Cyrus ‘Bakra King’ Broacha and his pet pup, Kali. I wished I’d brought along Ganeemat, my Lhasa  Apso. We judged the fashion show and shared our love for animals with the students. I was then taken by surprise when we had to dance on stage with the college mascot, Naidu. Going to HR College, KC College, Poddar College and Garodia College of Design – all where young, vibrant minds put forth their fashion extravaganzas and design projects – has been an invigorating experience. The most difficult part is the ‘judging’ that has to be done at the end. I see the passion and effort that goes into everything, yet there must be one winner. Even though there is a first, second and third, all those who took the gumption to present, walk the ramp and run the race, metaphorically speaking, are all winners to me.

Read more of Nisha’s point of view at http://nishajamvwal.blogspot.com and follow her on Twitter @nishjamvwal.