INDRADHANUSH 2021 was a challenge but dedication make us proud, an experience of a senior Disciple of Guru Alpana Nayak

New Delhi: This year was not like any other year. Even in the toughest of times we've emerged stronger and ready to face any challenges that lay ahead. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on performing arts, requiring us to maintain social distancing and adapt online teaching and learning. This year it was the 18th annual event of A.L.P.A.N.A, INDRADHANUSH 2021. Every year around 150 children participate in this event of classical dance and music. But this year things were different. It was no less of a challenge to bring everyone together and have group performances.

A different approach had to be taken to execute this event. With the latest relaxations by the government and reduction in covid-19 cases, auditoriums were allowed to function with only 30 people. Having a large audience, artists and members of the organisation, it could have not been possible to accommodate all of them in the auditorium. Hence, it was decided to have an online event with shooting the performances at the auditorium and later streaming it live on different social media platforms.

The most difficult challenge was rehearsals. All the items of the event were group choreographies, so it was very important to have coordination among the groups. But it was not possible without physical rehearsals. With the ongoing covid-19 situation, it was not safe to have physical rehearsals. Alpana Nayak Ma'am decided to have online rehearsals for the event. In the first few online classes, we all were very confused but gradually with every class, we got a better understanding of the choreography. Few of the techniques that we used for online rehearsals were drawing all the formations on paper, imagining our practice space at home as the stage and standing according to our positions. The next challenge was to maintain the protocols at the auditorium. As only 30 people were allowed in the auditorium at a time, each group was allotted a specific time to reach the auditorium and record the performance.

Only a few members of the organisation and the camera crew were present all the time. Everyone was masked and maintained social distancing at all times. The artists removed their masks only while performing on the stage. Honourable Chief guests also arrived at the event and congratulated the artists and the organisation for another successful year of organising Indradhanush. With so many restrictions, we still managed to pull off a great event. Indradhanush 2021 streamed live on Facebook and YouTube on 15th August, 2021 at 7pm. It has already crossed thousand views. With everyone's hard work, team work and dedication it was indeed a successful event.