Performing Arts Festival


The Performing Arts Festival, abbreviated as PAF, is the biggest inter-hostel cultural competition in the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay located at Powai in Mumbai. The term PAF is used to refer not only to the festival itself, but also to the individual cultural performances that constitute the festival.
Both undergraduate and graduate students at IIT Bombay participate in the preparation and organization of the festival. Typically six hostels are grouped together by random draw for each PAF. Though technically a drama, each PAF comprises contributions from several of the cultural arts including dramatics, literature, music, fine arts, debating and dance. Since 1999, the PAF has been held at the Open Air Theater inside the Students' Activity Center, within the main campus of IIT Bombay. Typically, all dialogues at PAF are delivered using voice overs and not by the actors themselves, mainly owing to the large size and structure of the OAT. This requires co-ordination between the actors and the voice actors.

Prod

The major work of a PAF is the preparation of the sets by fellow students. It is commonly called prod or prodwork, abbreviations for productions. Prod consists of making sets using bamboo, jute rope and screens made with layers of newspaper glued together by freshmen and seniors in co-operation. Structures strong enough to hold the weight of more than two or three people have been prepared. In the PAF of 2007, for instance, a two-storeyed set was made in order to give the dramatists a chance to perform at an elevated level.
Production sets require a maximum amount of man hours to put them in place. Building of production sets starts about a month before the PAF. The teams are allowed 3 days to install the sets and perform the finishing touches in the Open Air Theater.

Theme and language

PAFs can be made in Hindi or English. Themes chosen are usually serious and have been drawn from history, science fiction, social injustice, biographies etc. The only caveat is that the scripts are expected to be original.

Grouping

Though seemingly random, the teams are formed in a way that ensures fair chance for each. The pool of hostels is split into tiers based on their overall standings in the inter hostel cultural general championships held throughout the year. The tiers then get split and mixed with other tiers either through a draw or mutual consensus.

Major changes

The PAF season is at IIT Bombay during the last fortnight of March and the first week of April each year, officially culminating all the extracurricular activities of IIT Bombay for that academic year. Some recent PAFs include:
= Tie
Main language used is Hindi unless stated otherwise
YearPAF NameHostelsDateOverall positionIndividual awardsDescriptionRef.
2017A Silent Song1, 3, 4, 10, 13, 15BMar 212nd Runner-UpVoice-overs, DanceBased on the hardships of the relation between a father and a daughter. Elements in the dances were highly appreciated. Fusion of four different dance forms in one was the main attraction.
2017Nazariya6, 7, 8, 11, 12, TansaMar 26Runner-UpDepicted the dilemmas one faces and how our opinions are essentially biased based on our perspectives. It stressed on not following the herd mentality and not having blind faith.
2017Rannbhoomi2, 5, 9, 14, 15C, 16BMar 31WinnerScript, Acting, Lights, Costumes, Music, Direction, Dance, Video, Prod, Fine ArtsWon 10 out of 11 trophies; was a poignant depiction of the intertwined and vicious political scenario and the effect it has on university students. It showed the struggle for freedom of expression, religious turmoil and how far some people go to get political benefits.
2016Daira2, 5, 7, 13, 15C, TansaMar 22Runner-UpActing, Music, Direction, DanceSpecially applauded for dance and music; Depicted a girl’s dilemma over her sexuality while being pushed into a marriage; Portrayed the taboo of same sex marriage in Indian society
2016Apratyaksh1, 4, 9, 10, 14, 16BMar 27WinnerLights, Costumes, VideoRevolved about the theme as how deception could be used for power. It narrated the story of a "Behroopiya" who lures an entire kingdom into believing his immaculate acting and his "Swaangs" and overthrows the king to ascend the throne.
2016Muntazir3, 6, 8, 11, 12, 15BApr 012nd Runner-UpScript, Voice-over, Prod, Fine ArtsProduction included a mini-bus sized movable ship
2015Keta 2, 3, 11, 14, 15AMar 22Runner-UpDance, Lights, Prod, VideoWon Gem of the PAF for Underwater Dance Element
2015Pahal7, 9, 10A, 12, 16CMar 252nd Runner-UpActing, Music
2015Discovery of Indya1, 5, 8, 10Mar 28WinnerScript, Direction, Voice-over, Acting, VideoRevolves around a court case where a writer is indicted for writing a controversial book on the political leaders of India around the independence era
2015Aahuti4, 6, 13, 15C, TansaMar 313rd Runner-UpProd, Costumes, Fine ArtsPortrayed the character of Chanakya, the Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist and royal advisor and his role in shaping the establishment of the Maurya Empire under the reign of Chandragupta Maurya
2014Lohar4, 5, 11, 13, TansaMar 233rd Runner-UpScript
2014Pehchaan1, 6, 9, 10Mar 26Joint WinnerActing, Voice-over, Music, Direction, Video
2014Kolahal7, 8, 14, 10A, TypeC quartersMar 292nd Runner-UpProd
2014Ekla Cholo Re2, 3, 12, 15Apr 01Joint WinnerDance, Costumes, Lights, Fine Arts Based on the life of Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose
2013Satrangi3, 7, 13, 14Mar 153rd Runner-Up
2013Mandali5, 9, 12Mar 18WinnerMusic, Fine Arts, Prod, Script, Voice-over, Costumes, LightsGreatly applauded for its stage setup, aesthetics and music
2013Delhi Beats2, 8, 11, TansaMar 21Runner-UpActing, Dance, Direction, Video Set against the sensitive backdrop of rape, molestation and eve-teasing in Delhi
2013Bisaat1, 4, 6, 10Mar 252nd Runner-UpMusic, Prod, Lights
2012Maun2, 9, 10Mar 21Runner-Up
2012Aawhan4, 6, 12, 14Mar 25
2012Antbahaar1, 3, 11, 13Mar 29WinnerMusic, Prod, Costumes, Voice-over, Dance, Direction, Lights, Script, Fine Arts; Winning 9 out of 9 different aspects of PAF
2012Prime Minister 5, 7, 8, TansaApr 022nd Runner-UpStrongly based on the life of Rajiv Gandhi, the prime minister of India who was assassinated by the LTTE
2011Zoon3, 5, 10Mar 25Runner-UpMusic, Prod, CostumesUrdu: rich Hindi
2011Golden Quadrilateral2, 8, 12, 13Mar 29WinnerVoice-over, Dance, Screenplay, Lights
2011Walong4, 9, 14Apr 032nd Runner-Up
2011Chashm-E-Nam1, 6, 7, 11Apr 072nd Runner-UpScript
2010Ramleela4, 10, 13Mar 183rd Runner-Up
2010Panchhi re1, 3, 9, 12Mar 22WinnerScript, Dance, Screenplay, Acting, Voice-over;
2010Mai Mati5, 6, 11Mar 26Runner-UpMusic, Costumes
2010Antaragni2, 7, 8, TansaMar 302nd Runner-UpProd, Lights
2009Karvat5, 9, 12, TansaMar 202nd Runner-Up
2009If Tomorrow Comes3, 8, 11Mar 23Runner-Up
2009Najafgarh Express6, 7, 10Mar 26
2009Arthur Road1, 2, 4, 13Mar 30WinnerAll except Music and Costumes
2008Arsh1, 7, 8, 13Mar 182nd Runner-Up
2008U-Turn4, 9, 10Mar 21Runner-Up
200819845, 6, 12, TansaMar 25
2008The Show Goes On...2, 3, 11Mar 28Winner
2007Aashayein3, 8, 10Mar 18
2007Saare Jahaan Se Achha1, 5, 11, 13Mar 21WinnerDance ; Won Gem of PAF for the final choreography sequence
2007Numb-D2, 6, 9Mar 24
2007Good Morning4, 7, 12Mar 27
2006Asrār2, 8, 7Mar 192nd Runner-UpCostumes
2006Kharāshen13, 6, 10, TansaMar 22Runner-UpVoice-over
2006Camouflages3, 5, 12Mar 253rd Runner-UpThe first PAF ever to use the F-word and ‘orgasm’.
2006Déjà Vu1, 4, 9, 11Mar 28Winner7 out of 9; based on the life of an IITian
2005Lāl Rekhā-Ek Marīchikā2, 7, 11Mar 20Script
2005Satyoaham9, 13, TansaMar 232nd Runner-Up; Portrayed the conflict between the truth and self-ego.
2005Bombay1, 5, 10Mar 27Runner-UpActing, Costume, Prod, Publicity; About 3 characters - an actor, a journalist and a local goon - who want to make it big in their respective fields and the way they achieve their goals in the great city of Bombay
2005Kastūrī4, 8, 12Mar 30
2005Dastak3, 6Apr 02WinnerMusic, Lights, Direction, Screenplay, Voice-Over, Acting, Dance ; Based on the life of Safdar Hashmi, great writer, actor and activist
2004Āhvān2, 5Mar 222nd Runner-UpActing, Voice-over, Costumes, Dance
2004Agnihotra7, 10, TansaMar 26Publicity
2004Far from Vietnam 3, 9, 12Mar 29
2004Asāfeer6, 8, 11Apr 01Runner-UpScript, Prod, Lights; in Urdu-rich Hindi
2004Lākshāgrih1, 4, 13Apr 04WinnerMusic, Direction
2003Le Peintre de Mort 2, 6Mar 22
2003Child's Play 4, 11Mar 25
2003Omicidio 9, 10, TansaMar 28
2003Shānte Mrigayam3, 5Apr 07WinnerAll except Dance and Costumes
2003Anth7, 8Apr 10
2002Avshesh8, 9WinnerActing, Prod, Fine-Arts, Costumes
2002La Isla dela Musica, La Isla del Amor 2, 10, TansaApr 04Runner-UpActing, Voice-over, Music, Dance
2002Aham Brahmasmi4, 5
2002Aahuti1, 3, 11Mar 212nd Runner-Up
200214:12 6, 7
2001Thespian 2, 7Winner
2001Dansh4, 9
2001Asakth8, 10
2001Nimaad3
2001Pratyancha5, 11Runner-Up
2000Rashtroday2, 9Costumes
2000Al-Qasas5, 8WinnerLights, Prod, Direction, Dance, Screenplay, Music, Acting; Best Actor: Vaibhav Gupta
2000Sarhad3, 4Runner-UpScreenplay, Music, Acting
2000Asambhav1, 7, 112nd Runner-UpBest Actor: Bharat Garg
1999Abhimanyu3, 7Winner
1999Where There is a Will 4, 10, Tansa
1999All for Love 5, 6
1998The Dream Theater 2, 3Winner
1998OR 4, 5
1998The Artist 6, 7
1998Ek Adhura Kalpavriksha9, 10
1997...In Love and War 2, 5
1997Nightfall 6, 8Runner-Upbased on the Isaac Asimov story
1997Mrigtrishna 7, 3, TansaWinner
1995The End4, 8Joint Winner
1995Harlequin Chevalerie3, 7Joint Winner
1995The Twilight Zone1, 9, 11
1994Raga Saaga7, 8
1994"Any Dream Will Do"3, 10Winner
1994The Unforgiven4, 9
1993Locomotivation3, 9Winner
1991Moonstone6, 9
1991Songs of Distant Earth2, 7Winner

It has been observed that 2002 was the last time when the team performing first won the PAF.