Thank You!

The winners of the PSN Resonance 2015 was Vasant Valley School, Vasant Kunj who bagged the final trophy! We congratulate you and all the other winners; it was a great success only because of your skills and time.

Pathways School Noida thanks all the visitor schools, teachers and guest judges who invested their creative skills and time to open up new perceptions about the issue of masculinity. Resonance has been an eye-opener for many of us as it has changed the way we look at men and the dilemmas they go through; from the pressurising responsibilities, misconceptions and victimisation. Pathways is proud that it could act as a medium to address this social issue which is why we would love to see you next year too to address a new issue, a new cause.

Double Digest

Alter Ego

We often hear the phrase: “All men are the same”. This phrase is mostly used by an exasperated woman but the fact is that NOT all men are the same. JUST ENOUGH men are considered to be the “same” in order for society to generalize the view it has on “masculinity”. Society has painted an image into everyone’s minds- an image of what a man should actually be. The inner man in some men, hence, is unable to come out simply because society ridicules such a person.

This was the basis of alter ego: Literature is a platform where everything can be expressed freely. Different characters represent masculinity differently. Keeping this in mind, the participants had to choose two literary characters who represented contrasting images of masculinity.

For Arigna (from DPS Noida), this was a privilege since he felt honored talking about two iconic characters on stage for a period of five minutes. He also admitted being petrified since it was his first time doing such a thing on stage- but he had nothing to fear since his display ended with a resounding round of applause.

Our esteemed judges Ms. Sanyukta and Ms. Ira Pande were very impressed with our participants. “We are enjoying this event”, they said. “The opposition of two characters is allowing the participants (and audience) to move towards a clearer understanding of masculinity”.

This event was unique since the participants could choose and compare characters from completely different time frames. There was a comparison between Tony Stark and Hamlet. Many such comparisons took place and this kept the event interesting-since the audience didn’t know what which feature would be compared next.

Keeping all of this in a mind, the Alter Ego event was carried out effectively and left the audience with many things to think about.

The Heat

Debate Competition

“I may be wrong and you may be right and, by an effort, we may get nearer the truth.”

Karl Popper

A debate is a formal discussion where participants state their opinion on the given topic. Their ideas are supposed to be relevant and thought provoking. The debate event that took place at Resonance 2015 definitely changed the way we thought about the media.

To put this point across, all the participants gave examples of extreme male stereotypes that are portrayed by media; the first participant, Shaurya Singh from Step by Step asked the audience to think of a corrupt politician and asked them whether they thought of a male or a female; speaking for the motion from Pathways School Noida, Karan stressed upon the usage of male models in negative advertisements such as smoking; Karan, from Sri Ram School, said even if a man sheds a tear, the masses call him “less masculine”. Furthermore, Sahil Arora, a student from DPS Noida highlighted the famous saying that are put up in advertisements like, “Man – The Provider” and “Men Don’t Cry”. However, the debate even criticised media’s portrayal of women when Milind from DPS Noida argued upon the fact that the use of women is not to “demonstrate the qualities of the product but to attract the mass” that is to say that women are objectified to sell products. Moreover, a student from Vidya Sanskar International spoke about the “male gaze” and urged the masses to make it less ‘awkward’ for women.

An excellent debater is the one who changes the way the audience perceives a certain topic. The judges, Miss Ira and Miss Sanyukta, had to agree that all the participants were excellent debaters indeed.

Art Attack!

Graffiti Competition

1st day workshop – 29th August

1. The students were introduced to the two types of Graffiti – traditional and modern graffiti (power point presentation was done by Anil K. Goswami and Devendra Shukla)
2. Students were informed of the Standard practice of graffiti of incorporating art elements and mural work
3. Next the students were explained the rubric of the Graffiti competition to be held the next day.
4. In the workshop students practiced multiple techniques of making graffiti for the competition.
5. The students in addition to the different techniques of making Graffiti were introduced to the two types of stencil making – positive and negative printing.
6. Lastly the students were shown colour layout making along with the proper titling of their work.

2nd day – Graffiti competition – 27th August

1. Graffiti action was done in the middle school atrium where each school worked on a 4/8 plywood.
2. The students made use of multiple ways for creating their Graffiti techniques – using spray cans, acrylic paints, and stencil cutting and along with managing big space.
3. When the student were finished with their work of creation of their Graffiti, it was Showcased in the middle school atrium.
4. Finally, the works of different schools was judged by contemporary artists.

The Musical Jam

Music Competition

The first event of Day 2 of Resonance 2015 was an exhilarating music competition that resonated the issues revolving around masculinity in the most melodious way. Students were required to perform a song or compose their own melody to illustrate the different personas of man. Music was the perfect means to complete this task as it speaks of a person’s inner most thoughts and emotions and instills in the listeners a sense of empathy and understanding.

First up was The Sri Ram School, Noida who, at a short notice combined two songs; ‘Superheroes’ by the Script and ‘Let Her Go’ by Passenger. Superheroes is a beautiful song that describes how the pressure on men compels them to keep to themselves and this frustration and pain turns to grievous anger and power.

The next performance was by Step by Step who sung their own composition ‘I’m a Man’ where all the representations of man were put into one melody.

Heritage School also performed their own composition ‘I Wanna Bleed’ by Akarshit Arora. This song is about how men lose out on the simple things in life, for instance, spending time with family and later, he’s just left lamenting about the lost time. He says that it is the pressure of ‘manly’ responsibilities that steals away precious time from them and it is lost doing things that men are compelled to.

Next, DPS Ghaziabad shared their views through a self-made composition which expresses how men are not the only offenders and cannot be judged by the image that society has created of them; as the offenders of women. They say that men are also victimized and not much attention is paid towards the same.

Shiv Nadar’s song tread along the same lines as Heritage school; how a man cannot be open up because he has to appear as a tough man.

Ria Prakash, a student of Vasant Valley based her song on a conversation about men and masculinity, the name of their song was ‘The M Word’. In stark contrast, their song questioned why men don’t open up and “what are they afraid of.” But the song also suggested that society is opening up to a new perspective of masculinity when they say “you can be all that you want”.

Finally, Pathways School Noida performed the song ‘The Man I Want to be’ by Chris Young in which a couple ends its ties because the woman wants her partner to be a different man, a good man.

With this, the music competition came to an end. It was sonorous of the theme of masculinity and expressed the final message with just the right amount of ring.

Showtime!

Movie Screening 

“Masculinity now includes femininity as a part of it too- each woman is almost as masculine as she is feminine, and each man is almost as feminine as he is masculine. We must look at masculinity in this complete, wholesome manner”, said the renowned filmmakers, Iram and Reshma, who Pathways was honored to have as judges for the film making competition in Resonance 2015. The competition started with a roomful of buzzing filmmakers, none prepared for what a powerful message each movie would convey. A recurring theme, nearly every film talked about how suppressed men feel by standards and society coerced upon them- demanding them to be self-reliant, driven, and brave when they’re scared and emotionally stoic.

Eager to define “masculinity redefined”, as termed by The Shri Ram School, Aravali, the films posed questions of whether masculinity is defined by how one looks or thinks, whether it is created biologically or socially and whether masculinity is seen in a man who is physically strong or emotionally strong. Should men have to don masks every morning, or be free to be who they are? We say society is evolving, but is it really? Interestingly, the character of Superman has grown to be more muscled and is the epitome of a “real” man, as stated by Shiv Nadar. Pathways Gurgaon, too, went a step further, analyzing why is it that men feel the need to act aggressively and they came to the conclusion that it is because they feel it is the only way society allows them to express emotion.

Each movie also enthusiastically encouraged rights of men; Pathways Gurgaon talked about allowing men’s “tears to flow freely”, other films urged men to be themselves- to be “the man”, the non stereotypical one that allows men to be themselves rather than “that man”, who is the stereotypical “real” man. Each and every film deeply explored the idea of masculinity, leaving the students with an ample amount of thought to mull over.

Let’s Talk!

The Panel Discussion

Resonance 2015 started off with the first event, the Panel Discussion, which was an exploration of Masculinity and its roots in our society. The discussion aimed at allowing panelists along with the audience present, an opportunity to delve into the theme of Masculinity, its meaning, its impositions and pressures on men and its origin in society through historical times.

Moderated by Ms. Smita Bhattacharya and Radhika Sharma, the discussion took off with talks on what masculinity really meant to the panelists with the students giving diverse, well informed and impressive perspectives. The panelists were not hesitant in disagreeing or proposing new ideas which added to the discussion and made it one which explored both sides of the argument. With various students pointing out the idea of masculinity being a social construct, one which is imposed over time through social conditioning and psychological conditioning. In addition to this idea, panelists poured in on the historical evolution of Masculinity and how the perception of the same has been influenced by various external agents such as media and education.

Lastly, there was an insightful discussion on the pressures and expectations of masculinity and how these stereotypical expectations confine men to a certain standard of being instead of allowing them to be different. In conclusion, the panelists and audience alike, came to the understanding that Masculinity is a concept that is rife with tensions and inconsistencies that are too complex to be taken simplistically; it’s a social phenomenon that cannot be solved at the click of a button and is something that we all must try and change over time.

An Eye-Opening Start to the Festival

The Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony started off with the guest speaker, Mr. Rahul Roy delivering a speech on masculinity and its impact on a man’s surroundings and society, most commonly in the form of violence and power. The opening ceremony of Pathways School Noida’s Resonance 2015 continued with a profound set of statements, based on masculinity that were exchanged between the students and the guest speaker. His statements highlighted the various surroundings and environments that demand a man to exhibit the different traits of himself which include being tough, approachable, protecting and powerful. Mr. Roy’s views formed many questions in the minds of the students which were entertained by him in a good spirit. These questions were as diverse as the audience of students who came from different schools.

Being an individual who was extensively engaged in depicting masculinity through different means of media like films and books, Mr. Rahul Roy delivered an unforgettable speech which had a strong impact on the students. He increased the span of our knowledge on masculinity due to a deep evaluation of its symptoms and the concept itself.  The balanced arguments in Mr. Rahul Roy’s speech further strengthened its impact on the young audience and played a significant role in clearing the mental cobwebs of masculinity among individuals, especially among the students and the teachers. Finally Mr. Rao ended his speech by stating the role of masculinity that creates a ‘sense of entitlement and power’ for the male gender, leaving the audience with a profound thought to ponder on.

Mr. Rahul Roy, Guest Speaker – Enlightens The Gathering

Resonance 2015 welcomed Mr. Rahul Roy, a famous filmmaker and author as the guest speaker. Mr. Roy is a seasoned individual whose work has revolved around the study of masculinity, communalism and labor. Recently, his graphic book on masculinities titled ‘A Little Book on Men’, was published by Yoda Press.

We the students of Pathways School, Noida, thank Mr. Roy for coming and speaking about Masculinity, it’s roots and what it entails and imposes upon an individual in the society. His words have been immensely illuminating.

Sneak Peek – Students from Shiv Nadar

Q.1 What motivated you to take part in Resonance 2015?
The primary focus is to get a wider comprehension of the topic along with some competition so that we gain some experience.

Q.2 What is your opinion of masculinity and what is it to you?
I think that it is a character trait which is very stereotypical. I believe that masculinity is underrated and it should be discussed to bring men and women at equal levels.

We are glad that the students from Shiv Nadar along with the other talented, motivated and driven young people have become a part of Pathways School Noida’s annual festival Resonance 2015. We hope this festival enlightens them and brings new perspectives to them regarding ‘Masculinity’.