St Xavier’s College, Kolkata Hosts Theaxav Theatrical Marvel!

The campus of St Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, burst into life as students convened to herald the long awaited return of Theaxav after a five-year hiatus. Hosted by the Xaverian Theatrical Society, this year's theme, Still We Rise, reclaimed its esteemed position on the cultural calendar, spotlighting the boundless talent and ingenuity of St Xavier’s College's brightest young thespians alongside select talents from across Kolkata's collegiate landscape.

March 4, 2024 marked a transformation of the Father Depelchin Auditorium and Xavier Hall into veritable crucibles of artistic expression. The stage was set ablaze with a diverse array of performances across four inter-college and two intra-college competitive theatrical events. A highlight of the day was the panel discussion, Theatre: Resistance or Entertainment, featuring Rupdraprasad Sengupta and Goutam Halder, moderated by Agnijeet Sen, offering profound insights into the essence of the dramatic arts.

The festival's inauguration, graced by Vice Principal Professor Bertram Da Silva, underscored the pivotal role of theatre in shaping history and nurturing a passion for the dramatic arts among students. Darpan, the stage play event, judged by actor Surangana Bandyopadhyay, showcased an eclectic tapestry of narratives, with teams like Uchhingre from Scottish Church College and Enact from Bhawanipur Education Society College, leaving an indelible mark with their innovative storytelling.

Tarang, the radio play competition, assessed by Sayan Bhattacharyya, breathed life into characters through captivating intonations, while Shor, the intercollege street play event, electrified Xavier Hall under the discerning eye of Sharanya Dey.

At the heart of the festivities were the intra-college competitions: Tale A Tale, a storytelling event judged by Chandrbali Rudra Dutta and Rahul Deb Mondali, and Copycat, a riveting showcase of Bollywood reenactments assessed by social media luminary Preeti Sarkar.

The day reached its crescendo with Adwitiyo, the mono act competition, scrutinised by renowned actor Rwitobroto Mukherjee, where solo performers showcased a spectrum of talents, from character mimicry to profound human portrayals.

The pièce de résistance was the original production Der Rücktrit: The Abdication, where the Theaxav team delivered a chilling commentary on social justice in a totalitarian regime. With dialogues echoing the timeless tragedy of Oedipus Rex, the production seamlessly wove music, dance, and narrative, leaving audiences spellbound and introspective.

The improvisational panel discussion, led by theatrical luminaries Rudraprasad Sengupta and Goutam Halder, navigated the nuanced interplay between theatre, resistance, and entertainment, igniting spirited exchanges and thought provoking revelations.

Behind the curtain, a dedicated core and organising committee orchestrated a seamless symphony of stagecraft and creativity, ensuring the festival's resounding success.

In his closing address, Assistant Secretary Pritam Saha expressed gratitude to all involved, paving the way for future iterations of Theaxav to continue inspiring creativity and camaraderie at St Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata.

As attendees dispersed, the echoes of their conversations reverberated with anticipation for next year's installment, ensuring that the spirit of artistic exploration and expression would endure for generations to come.