News from NICO | Workshop on Lighting in Theatre

A one-day workshop on Lighting in Theatre was organised on 22nd December2022 as part of the course on Theatre Production for III semester BA students. Christopher Ninasam, Asst Professor, St Aloysius College and Sweedel D’souza, Counsellor, St Aloysius College & a Ninasam graduate, were the resource persons. 

The workshop began with students being introduced to different types of lights, par lights, spot lights, profile lights and RGB lights and their use in theatre production. The resource persons explained how these lights were connected to a power source and the dimmer pack. Students were then asked to demonstrate what they had learnt by fixing these lights on the lighting grid and setting it up from different angles. They were also shown how to control these lights using the lighting console. 

A lively Question & Answer session followed and the resource persons shared with students pictures clicked in different theatre productions over the years. Dr. Tapaswi HM, Course Coordinator facilitated the workshop, which was held at LCRI Auditorium, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore.

News from NICO | Mask-making Workshop

A three-day workshop on Mask-Making was organised by Nitte Institute of Communication for students of Theatre Production (BA III Semester) from 19th to 21st December 2022. Praveen Kumar, a graduate of the National School of Drama and Obayya, a graduate of CAVA were the resource persons. On the first day students made the model of the mask using clay under the guidance of the resource persons. Plaster of Paris was then poured into it and this was allowed to set. Once this was set, the PoP mask was carefully removed from the mould. 

On the second and third days, students began pasting paper inside the mould, using glue in the first two layers and water from the third layer onwards. A total of fifteen layers of paper was pasted inside the mould and it was left to dry for one full day. Once this had dried completely, the mask was gently removed from the mould. Finally this casting as it is called, was painted by students in colours of their choice. 

The workshop was facilitated by Dr Tapaswi H M, Course Coordinator.

News from NICO | Short Film Madhyanthara screened at NICO

Madhyanthara (Intermission) a Kannada short film of 40 minutes duration was screened at Nitte Institute of Communication on 27th December 2022. Writer and Director Basti Dinesh Shenoy and Producer Ganesh Shetty were present during the screening. 

A film technician and filmmaker who has been in the movie business for the last 26 years, Dinesh Shenoy has worked as a Cinematographer, Producer and Director. He has also worked closely with stalwarts of cinema like Wes Anderson, Adrien Brody, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker. Madhyanthara was selected for screening at this year’s Indian Panorama at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa which was held between 20th & 28th November. It was one of only 20 films selected under the non-feature category, which consists of short films and documentaries. Set in the late Seventies, the film tells the story of two young men from a small village in Karnataka who eat, drink and dream films. Not being able to pay for two tickets, they buy just one ticket and split the film between them. While one of them watches it till the interval, the other watches the second half and they then share the stories with each other. Their innocence, combined with their love for movies and the animated description of the scenes to one another is a treat to watch. 

Two other short films of 10 minutes each, directed by Ganesh Shetty and produced by Dhrishyam Films were also screened. Based loosely on real life incidents, these films were an example in crisp storytelling. 

The screenings were followed by an enthusiastic interactive session with the resource persons, who patiently answered all the queries.

News from NICO | Visit to the Tenth Annual Cartoon Habba & Journalism Workshop

Journalist Aakar Patel, content creator Aakash Banerjee, photojournalist Suresh KK and editorial cartoonist Sathish Acharya spoke on topics ranging from “The fine line between Journalism & Activism, The Charm & Challenges of Independent Media, Reporting through Visuals and Decoding Cartoon Ideas” organised as part of the 10th Annual Cartoon Habba, on 26th November 2022 at Kundapur. Students of Nitte Institute of Communication participated in the event, which is held in Kundapur every year. 

The opening talk was by Sathish Acharya where he spoke about the techniques, he uses to draw cartoons and how he cannot afford a creative block since the deadlines he gets are very tight. When there is a newsbreak, he has to look for elements with which he can come up with a relevant cartoon, he said. 

In his virtual session, Akash Banerjee, content creator and founder of DeshBhakt, told students ‘Equip yourselves with the ability of standing on your own feet, of doing your own thing and having people come to support or pay you’; “what you bring to the table is more important than your degree,” he said. He also urged students to work on their portfolios while in college. 

Senior photojournalist Suresh KK was the third speaker of the day. He spoke of his experiences covering the Kargil war and how he used film cameras to capture the moment. In photojournalism, ‘One picture has to say everything’, he stressed. He also spoke of his shift to sports photography and the cordial relations shared with cricketers, before the ICC made it mandatory for journalists and players to maintain a certain distance. 

Journalist and columnist Aakar Patel in the closing talk of the day said ‘while journalism presents news the way it is, activism is action. Social media gives you a voice to be able to engage with laws and democracy’, he told students. 

An exhibition of cartoons by various cartoonists was also a part of the Habba.

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News from NUCSER | AIKYA 2022

Nitte University Centre for Science Education & Research conducted its annual cultural event, AIKYA 2022 on 17th December 2022 at the institute premises in Paneer to celebrate India`s different cultures and religions. Aikya is NUCSER’s unique way of spreading love, harmony and peace. 

Prof. Vinod Aranha, Director, Nitte Institute of Architecture was the chief guest and Prof. Dr Anirban Chakraborty, Director, NUCSER presided over the function. Cultural events depicting the tradition of various religions and festivals followed the formal function. 

All the students came together and put-up performances showcasing the rich heritage of our country and festivals. The event was a grand success, with over 300 participants. The program was ably supported by the teaching & non-teaching staff, and students of NUCSER.

News from NUCSER | Christmas celebration by visiting the De Mercede Orphanage, Deralakatte

The NSS Cell, along with the faculty and students of NUCSER, celebrated Christmas by visiting the De Mercede Orphanage, Deralakatte, on 17th December 2022. De Mercede Orphanage, in Paneer village of Mangaluru Taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, is an organisation working towards the betterment of socially and economically deprived children between the age group of 6 to 12. The orphanage was started in 1943 and is continuously supporting the children with educational opportunities and much-needed care and protection. The kids are given housing, special care and counselling here. They attend a school run by the Catholic Board of Education close to the orphanage. At present, there are 85 children and ten staff members. 

On this occasion, Pai International Electronics, Mangalore, generously donated a washing machine and mixer to the orphanage. NUCSER students and staff donated clothes and cash to the orphanage. 

The handing-over ceremony was conducted with a lot of enthusiasm by the faculty and student council members of NUCSER, where a Christmas cake was symbolically cut by the children. This was followed by some entertainment programs.

News from NUCSER | Nitte’s walkathon to make a difference: “Save our Oceans”

A walkathon - SAVE OUR OCEANS was organised on 18.12.2022 from Paneer Campus to Someshwar Beach, Mangaluru to create awareness about protecting our oceans. The walkathon was hosted by NUCSER, in association with the NSS unit of Nitte DU and Kotekar Pattana Panchayat, Mangaluru. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Satheesh Kumar Bhandary; Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr M S Moodithaya; Registrar Dr Harsha Halahalli; Advisor (Research & Patents) Prof. Dr Iddya Karunasagar; Head ICAR-CMFRI, Mangaluru Dr Dinesh Babu; Managing Partners of Aquatic Biosystems, Dr Ashwin Rai and Dr Ronald D’Souza inaugurated the program and conducted the flag-off. 

Prof. Dr. Bhandary highlighted the importance of such a walkathon in the coastal regions of Mangaluru and inspired everyone to be a part of it. Director of NUCSER, Prof Dr Anirban Chakraborty welcomed the guests, and the Dy. Director Dr Smitha Hegde thanked the guests and participants for their presence. 

Over 200 participants from institutions in and around Mangalore took part in the event. The walk began from Paneer Campus at 7:30 AM and ended at Someshwara beach by 9:00 AM. The participants displayed posters made by them and called out slogans throughout the walk to draw the attention of the general public to the cause of saving oceans. 

The walk was conducted under the supervision of the police, who ensured safety and smooth flow of traffic throughout the event. All the participants were felicitated with a medal & certificate for completing the walkathon upon reaching the endpoint. The number of participants were more than anticipated, which indicated the positive response from students towards the noble cause. 

Nitte DU has been at the forefront on activities that are socially relevant and this event was another example of how the university is committed towards developing a sustainable ecosystem through teaching, research, outreach activities and stewardship practices.

Invitation | Global alumni meet 2022 | DR. NSAM FGC, Nitte

 

A Workshop on the Untold Story of Veera Rani Abbakka, one of coastal Karnataka’s earliest freedom fighters

Nitte Institute of Communication in association with Ullal Veera Rani Abbakka Samiti conducted a Workshop on the Untold Story of Veera Rani Abbakka, one of coastal Karnataka’s earliest freedom fighters on 27th November 2022 at the Institute premises. Sri. K Jayaram Shetty, former MLA, inaugurated the session and Sri. Dinakar Ullal, President Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava Samiti, delivered the keynote address. 

Rani Abbakka was unarguably one of the earliest freedom fighters in this region and her bravery should not go unremembered, said Jayaram Shetty in his inaugural address. History has recorded how she gathered her army, which consisted of people from all castes and communities and repulsed the Portuguese time and again. Ullal, which was her capital and also a flourishing port, was the hub of the spice trade to Arabia. Being a profitable trading center, the Portuguese, Dutch and British vied with one another for control of the region as well as the trade routes. They were not able to make much headway as the resistance from the local chieftains was very strong. 

  

Dinakar Ullal, in his keynote address, speaking from recorded history, said the brave queen, married to Lakshmappa Arasa Bangaraja II, King of Banga was also among the few to use fire arrows or flaming arrows in her battles. She defeated the Portuguese in several battles, forged an alliance with King Zamorin of Calicut, but finally thanks to the treachery of her estranged husband, who had joined forces with the Portuguese, was captured and imprisoned. She lost her life in prison, brave till the end. 

In his presidential address, Prof (Dr) Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, Vice Chancellor Nitte DU called upon students to read and understand local culture. He said that students need to visit areas of interest in and around Mangalore to get a feel of history. The bravery of our freedom fighters should not be forgotten, he said. 

Smt. Dhanalakshmi Gatty, former Zilla Panchayat Member, Sri. Sadananda Bangera, former President, Mogaveera Sangha, Sri. Anand K Assaigoli, Treasurer, Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava Samiti, Dr Sayeegeetha, Head, Department of Humanities were present. The formal function was followed by the screening of the documentary, Rani Abbakka, directed by Ms. Tiya Chatterji. Prof Raviraj, Head, Nitte Institute of Communication delivered the vote of thanks.

News from NICO | Alumni Interaction with Rahul Jothi

An interactive session with alumni Rahul Jothi, (BA JMC 2020), Art Director, TechWave, Hyderabad was held at Nitte Institute of Communication premises on 5th December 2022. 

Speaking to students of final BA, Rahul spoke about working in advertising, brand planning and coming up with creative communication strategies. He stressed upon the importance of working on a portfolio while still in college. Having a good portfolio is the first step towards preparing for the real world, he said. 

He shared with students his memories of NICO and urged them to make the best use of the facilities that the college provides. He spoke of how he and his classmates would regularly participate in student film festivals and what an amazing learning process that turned out to be. The interactive session ended with a vibrant Question and Answer session.

News from NICO | Workshop on Sound Design & Editing

The Alumni Cell and the Placement Cell of Nitte Institute of Communication, jointly organised a Workshop by alumni Prabhat Shetty (BA JMC 2018), Sound Designer, Room Tone Audio, Mumbai on 17th December 2022. 

The workshop covered topics like Sound in Films; the 5 important aspects of Sound Design; basic techniques of Sound Design; Importance of Transitions and perspectives in sound; Importance of Silence and its application in sound for films; Difference between Diegetic and Non- Diegetic Sounds; The usage of Point of View sounds and its importance; Simple sound editing techniques like Track Laying and Audio Level Automation. 

This was followed by a Question & Answer Session to clarify the doubts that students had. 

Prabhat has been working as Sound Designer for documentaries and web serials, the latest being his work for the Netflix series CAT.