Students of Architecture and Planning Bring 'Mahabharata' to Life

Students from the Faculty of Architecture and Planning at Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) in Lucknow presented a magnificent theatrical performance based on the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Held at the faculty's open-air theatre, the unique production was a collaborative effort by the faculty’s Drama Club, Art Club, and Media Club. The students brought the timeless saga to life with a fresh perspective and innovative stage techniques.

The play masterfully depicted the epic story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, the timeless conflict between righteousness and unrighteousness, and the complex philosophical questions of life from a modern point of view. The entire production was a testament to the students' creativity and collective hard work. The stage design, costumes, and the use of light and sound were all excellently executed. A special highlight was the innovative set design, which, drawing on the students' background in architecture, brought a remarkable sense of vitality and depth to the stage.

The event was attended by faculty members, students, and other distinguished guests, who lauded the students' creativity, discipline, and the serious nature of their presentation. The Dean of the faculty remarked that "the Mahabharata is not just a story, but a philosophy of life. The freshness and depth with which our students have staged it is truly inspiring."

The play was specially directed by Girish Pandey, with Dev Mohini Dutta as the director and Abdul Kalam as the writer. The musical score was created by Anugya, Utkarsh, and Katyayani, while costumes were designed by Jahnvi Singh. The stage was decorated by the Model Club and Art Club. The cast included Amul as Yudhisthira, Hansaj as Bheem, Shaurya Saxena as Arjun, Hrithik as Sahdev, Shaurya Verma as Nakul, Vidit as Karna, Vansh as Duryodhana, Abhishek as Dushasan, Ashumendra as Dhritarashtra, Peshal as Vidur, Aditya Srivastava as Krishna, Aditya Tandon as Shakuni, Sparsh as both Yaksha and Abhimanyu, Sachin as Dhrishtadyumna, Amresh as Jayadrath, Ankit as Draupadi's father, and Srishti as Draupadi.

The event was a great success, attended by a large number of students and faculty members, including Professors Girish Pandey, Tabish Abdullah, Bhupendra Kumar Asthana, Laxmi Kant Mishra, Anjaney Sharma, and Ramesh Pandey. This production showcased not only the students' sensitivity towards art and literature but also their overall personality development.