ICNU participated in the University Level One Act Play Competition held on 17th January 2026 at the NIM Auditorium. The event was organized by the Institute of Design under the aegis of the Student Welfare Board with the objective of promoting cultural expression, creativity, and theatrical excellence among students from various institutes. The competition witnessed participation from nine teams across the university, making it a highly competitive and enriching cultural platform.
The team from ICNU presented a One Act Play titled “अंत अस्ति प्रारंभ” , a Hindi production that conveys the powerful message that “the end is the beginning.” The central theme of the act revolved around role reversal and understanding others’ perspectives, encouraging empathy, self-reflection, and a deeper awareness of how circumstances shape human behavior. Through this theme, the performance aimed to highlight the importance of viewing situations from another person’s standpoint rather than through preconceived judgments.
The preparation for the competition began in late December 2025, nearly three weeks prior to the event. Regular and structured practice sessions were conducted under the guidance of Mr. Rishabh Shukla, an experienced theatre professional. Under his mentorship, the team worked intensively on script interpretation, character building, dialogue delivery, facial expressions, stage movements, and overall coordination between actors and accompanists. A committed team of 14 members participated throughout the rehearsal process. The journey as a team became a significant learning experience, fostering discipline, patience, mutual respect, and collaboration. Each rehearsal not only enhanced theatrical skills but also strengthened the team’s understanding of the theme and the emotions it aimed to portray.
On the day of the competition, ICNU delivered the performance with confidence and coordination. The act was well received by both the judges and the audience for its concept, execution, and collective effort. Amidst strong competition, the team was honored with the Best Supporting Actor (Male) award, which became the only trophy secured by ICNU at the event. Though small in size, the trophy carried immense value as it symbolized the team’s hard work, growth, learning, and unity throughout the journey.
The team extends sincere gratitude to ICNU for providing the opportunity and encouragement to participate in this cultural event. Heartfelt thanks are due to the Dean and Director for their continuous support of co-curricular activities. Special appreciation is extended to the Faculty Coordinator, CS Dr. Karishma Butani, whose motivation, guidance, and unwavering support played a crucial role throughout the preparation and performance. The team is deeply thankful to Mr. Rishabh Shukla for his exceptional direction and mentorship, which greatly contributed to the artistic and personal growth of the performers. Gratitude is also extended to all co-actors and accompanists, including seniors, juniors, and batch mates, whose dedication, cooperation, and team spirit made the entire experience meaningful and memorable. The presence and encouragement of the ICNU family as the audience greatly boosted the team’s morale and confidence.
Overall, the One Act Play Competition proved to be a deeply enriching experience for the team, contributing significantly to artistic development, confidence building, and personal growth. The journey reinforced the importance of empathy, teamwork, and perseverance. This participation stands as a proud moment for ICNU and serves as a motivation to continue striving for excellence in future cultural endeavors, carrying forward the belief that every end marks a new beginning.
Date: 21/01/2026
Venue: NIM Auditorium