Discovering passion to make the shift
Gautam Mandal
Gautam Mandal, an alumni of GSV, is 25 yrs old and works with ‘Mudra a creative gesture’, a Theatre initiative located in Dwarka, Delhi. He is adept in acting, direction, script writing, choreography etc.
One of the initiatives of the company is to take year-round theatre classes in schools. Gautam is responsible for the Sunflower Public School, Ghaziabad. He especially plans how all the students of the school gain exposure through theatre throughout the year. While doing so he also acts in various plays which are staged at Mandi House, Delhi, a popular hub for nurturing art in all forms.
Gautam is an alumni of GSV from one of the first few batches that go back to 2006/7. He lived in a jhuggi beside the DND, NOIDA , as his parents would farm there. Life before GSV would see him wake up in the morning, join friends and beg near a dargah. With the money they would buy marbles and play. While being able to pursue his education at GSV, he gained exposure to multiple activities. In 2007, a first of a kind play was held at the park, called ‘Jallianwala bagh’ on 15 August. Mr Nadeem Ali from the National School of Drama, at the time, along with Dr Mohammad Afaaq trained the students for the play. Gautam was participating in a play for the first time. His submergence in the character came quite naturally, practising profusely and sometimes even being driven to tears in his depiction. It did not take long for him to realise that he harboured a deep passion for acting.
It was unconventional for him to suggest this to his parents, who battled poverty each day, to make ends meet. In class 12 Gautam had no idea about his journey ahead. Taking vocational training at ITI, as was the practise in school, did not attract him. He reflected deeply, and spoke with the officials including Mr Sunil Razdan, Co-founder of GSV, telling him honestly about his inclination towards acting. “I felt that GSV had exposed me to a new dimension of education. I studied regularly, but acting gave me hope, it pulled me strongly. I felt that since I had developed the skill with regular plays being organised at GSV, why not make it my career, however unconventional it was for a boy with my background. Sunil Sir helped me and I got my first opening through my mentors in the field, Mr Nadeem and Dr Afaaq.”, says Gautam
As he passed class 12 life’s challenges kept testing him. He faced rejections and financial burden as well. People even doubted whether he will be able to remain stable in his selection. Gautam continued to act and established himself effectively. The global pandemic brought him an unprecedented challenge but he fought through as well. He led online sessions of acting, reaching out to about 30,000 students from various schools. He continues to train students and is proud to have one of them , Aditya, act at the National Theatre event organised by CBSE in the current academic year 2024-25.
Gautam recalls a conversation that he had with ‘Sunil Sir’ after he saw Mr Sunil talk on the dais. He was drawn to the confidence and asked him how he could be like him. Gautam took his advice of participating in activities that offer him a platform to speak, with determination. He saw this opportunity in the auditions that were held for the first play. There has been no looking back for Gautam since. Theatre according to him, is an activity, but is an exposure to a lifestyle. It teaches you how to dress , conduct with colleagues etc.
In the words of Gautam, “ I have two parents, GSV being the other. I have no words to express what GSV has given me. When a child is born, he/she knows nothing; it is the parents who hand hold and guide us. GSV did that. It provided us with a platter decorated with several diverse activities like educational trips, play, sports. It treated us like its own children, treating us to a quick fun snack , something that we never could ask our parents for. Today I am a respected for what I do. I stay in a rented house and not a jhuggi; My parents have gone back to our village and I support them financially. When I wake up today, I have a purpose in life, which is so distanced from begging or playing with marbles.’
His message to the current students is , “ You may be very capable, but never forget your roots. Continue to do the simple things always, respect your elders, be honest. Challenges in different forms will come your way but never compromise on your values. Afaaq Sir and Geet Ma’am motivated me through my difficult situations which occurred from time to time. They told me to relax and be patient. Don’t be restless. Put in your best and keep having conversation with your elders. “ and Gautam signs off after overwhelmingly recalling his tourney with his life.
