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“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” - Aristotle

Report for the year 2012-13

The Fine Arts Society, one of the oldest societies in this 152 year old institution, has always been a platform for students to exhibit their talent. It has conventionally hosted a painting exhibition called ‘Walbrush’, and it annually conducts a photography competition and a Western Music Concert. Over the years, the Society has harnessed the talents of individuals like Ashwika Kapoor, a Wildlife Photographer/Filmmaker & Conservationist and a former Secretary, Nicholas Rixon and Shubhodip Banerjee, the If’s and But’s duo, who have gone on to become established artists in the city and beyond.

Academic Year 2012-2013

This year, the society has been more active than ever before. It organized a set of workshops called ‘The X-hibit’ from the 10th to 13th October, 2012. Workshops were held on Photography, Theatre, Salsa and Western Music. We had the pleasure of hosting photographer Mr. Rajesh Gupta, theatre personality Ms. Dana Roy, the Salsa couple Tapas and Nikita from ‘Twist n Turns’ and renowned guitarist Mr. Amyt Datta, who conducted these workshops for enthusiastic Xaverians. The Fine Arts Society has decided to honor individuals who help the cause of Fine Arts, such as conducting workshops by conferring upon them the title of ‘Honorary Member’. As of now, we are proud to state that we have Mr. Gupta, Ms. Roy and Mr. Datta as our honorary members.

The College Choir, conducted by Prof. Christina Mirza, performed in the Annual Christmas Music Concert in the Chapel on 20th December 2012. Xaverians, Parish Priests and heads of many educational institutions were invited for the Concert. The Choir also had the privilege of performing in front of the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Mamata Banerjee on 22nd December, 2012 which was indeed an honor.

Future Plans – Near and Far

The Society is set to host the annual photography and painting competition ‘Walbrush’ in the foyer of the College Auditorium on 9th February, 2013. The exhibited photographs and paintings would be entries from a competition held on the theme ‘Revival of Park Street’ during the month of January, 2013. It will be judged by Mr. Gupta, our honorary member. The best painting and photograph will be hung on the walls of the College. We hope to keep this tradition alive in the coming years.

The much awaited Western Music Concert will be held on 2nd March, 2013 with a dress rehearsal on the previous day. Close to 15 colleges in the city will be invited to participate in the concert. Auditions will be held for the same in the Auditorium on 9th February, along with ‘Walbrush’. We in the Society have felt that St. Xavier’s needs a newsletter for its students to be better updated about events in the college and beyond. Hence, we shall release Xavier’s first ever newsletter on the occasion of the Western Music Concert. The newsletter will swing into full publication in the academic year 2013-14. Students are encouraged to send in articles, caricatures, photographs or anything creative to the society’s email address.

The Fine Arts Society offers membership to any person who wishes to enrich him or herself by learning from the events we organize. The organizing team comprises a Secretary, Associate Secretary, Treasurer who are 3rd year students and other students from 1st and 2nd years from all the departments of the College. We are dedicated to serving the needs of those who are artistically inclined and wish to transform themselves into better artists by using us an outlet for their creative genius.

Siddharth Daniel Rao
Secretary
Fine Arts Society