With less than 24 hours to go for the Neotia Arts Trust presents The India Story in association with The Telegraph, to be held at Swabhumi on December 18, 19, 20, 10.30am onwards, we caught up with some members of Team TIS, who have been working relentlessly to mount a successful edition like no other.
You have been with the TIS team for how many years?
Sayantani: I have been with the team since 2017… this is my fourth TIS!
Radhika: Since 2018.
Sadhika: Since 2019.
Gayatri: Since 2019.
Ananya: I had designed for The India Story once before in 2018 but the scale and magnitude this year has been my biggest stint so far at TIS.
Dibyo: For four years now.
(l-R) jasu Khan, from Rajasthan, of Voice India Kids fame who has performed with names like A.R. Rahman and Arijit Singh; Logo of TIS
What gives you an adrenaline rush every time TIS is here or what do you enjoy about working on TIS the most?
Sayantani: The rush of setting it up is unmatched… it is such a thrill of seeing something come alive from almost nothing! I love the scale of The India Story — it is like a magnum opus that dreams bigger each year.
Radhika: My adrenaline rush gushes the day participants come to the set-up… quite literally! Of course our perpetual picnic is what I look forward to during the last month running up to the event.
Sadhika: I love my team and the crazy guts we work with pulling all-nighters effortfully effortlessly. The biggest rush is to see the event come alive on the final day.
Gayatri: I enjoy working with the team more than anything else. The whole planning to put together the Farmer’s Market this time, introducing a completely new property in TIS, has been a wonderful high.
Ananya: I think the fact that every day is a new challenge, which dissolves as the day ends and opens another the following day — its literally like rolling with the punches!
Although I love planning in advance, the adrenaline of an event cannot match anything else. I really enjoy the energy each person brings to the team, and the humour we find even in last-minute changes.
Dibyo: TIS for me is more of an emotion than just an event. There is so much that I get to learn about what’s new and trending in the realm of designs across the country each time we put this show together, and months of brainstorming and madness summed up in three days, is what keeps me coming back to TIS every year.
How excited are you that the physical event is back?
Sayantani: The excitement surrounding a physical event is unparalleled. I am so glad that we are here today despite all odds. It hasn’t been easy at all but when do precious things happen easily?
Radhika: I am most thrilled that within half a day I complete my quota of daily steps!
Sadhika: My googly eyes have gotten bigger and I am super duper excited!
Gayatri: Most thrilled that we get to end the year on a happy note!
Ananya: Certainly the most exciting part for me, even more since I can explore so much more in the design space.
Dibyo: I am extremely excited as it’s been a two-year-long wait for TIS due to the pandemic, and with all the protocols in mind, I am hoping to pull off yet another amazing season of TIS with the team.
What has been the prep like?
Sayantani: The prep has been detailed, intricate, tedious, organising and more organising…
Radhika: Crazy, hectic, tons of Excel sheets and more!
Sadhika: Crazyyyy but so much fun… we have a lot in store for you!
Gayatri: Crazy organising and more detailed organising, yet the more comes your way, the more one learns.
Ananya: Lots and lots of Google sheets, explosion of Google drives and practically activating a tech challenged set of people into Instagram ninjas.
Dibyo: The prep this year has been very calculative and we had to be on our toes throughout the planning phase and accommodate every protocol put out by the government and be absolutely flexible with our planning at every stage.
What are your messages for each other?
Sayantani: Keep Calm… let’s carry on!
Radhika: Live, laugh, loovvee… most important, eat!
Sadhika: Enjoy my jokes because you know you’ll miss them soon!
Gayatri: Keep hustling… TIS December!
Ananya: Make the most of your two ears!
Dibyo: We are all very excited to have all our participants at Swabhumi to ensure an equal or better experience of TIS in our sixth season and all the very best to my team.