In house talent versus stars

Colleges prefer inviting celebrites to perform at fests instead of encouraging talented students to take centrestage

It is the season of fests and most colleges are busy with organisation and the works. Students are busy hunting for potentially huge sponsorships as the costs of fests have sharply escalated over the years- thanks to the price tags of stars who now take the centre stage at these fests. With a large amount of manpower and money being set aside for these events, fests have become prestigious affairs for colleges, so much so that the worth of a college is considered proportional to the money spent on its annual fest. Infact, students and parents take into consideration this factor before filling up their admission forms.

Top colleges like Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology (CBIT), Vasavi College of Engineering, MVSR College of Engineering, Guru Nanak College of Engineering spend over 40 lakh rupees for a single fest. The back stage preparations kick off much earlier, with heavy stress placed on adding star power to the affair. The most challenging task for students is to draw celebrities into the gig, who are paid anywhere between six to ten lakh rupees for a half hour programme.But why do managements of colleges insist on inviting celebrities to add colour to the event instead of providing a platform for inhouse talent? Several colleges have rock bands eager to display their skills to an audience that can appreciate their work.

Fests could be the perfect platform for them. But some have a counter argument. Jasper Paul, a student of St. Peters Engineering College and a member of the student rock band, says, “In a fest, the general public wouldn't be happy if an amateur band performed. They want the top class and most popular bands. More the hype around the artist, more are people interested. A college band on the other hand will hardly draw any crowd. This is the chance for a college to get famous. So it makes no sense to have a band that is not recognised.”

Samson Velpula, a lecturer from CBIT says “The Crape Diem fest of CBIT is the biggest fest in Hyderabad and we spend around 50 lakh rupees. I agree that money is being wasted in the name of fun and enjoyment and that amount could instead be used more purposefully. But from a student’s point of view, fests are a big deal. This is the only opportunity they get to witness international bands. Student bands just can’t be compared to them. The management can take adequate measures to encourage student talent but replacing international bands, DJs or celebrities with student talent can kill the joy”.

Managements of colleges could instead sponsor student rock bands. The ones passing out from colleges could take the responsibility of training their juniors and thereby keep the activity alive. Vamshi J Krishna, a representative of VBIT College says “These one-day entertainment fests don’t benefit the students in anyway. Instead, focussing on hidden talent is the best thing a management can do to encourage students. Cultural fests shouldn’t be a one-man show. Even if outsiders comes to the college to entertain students, their motto should be to encourage and inspire them with their talent”.

By BHAGYA SHREE KOTTOORI