The vibrant tapestry of Hindu culture is woven with a myriad of festivals, each celebrating different facets of life and spirituality. Among these, Navratri stands out as a radiant and joyous occasion, marking the triumph of good over evil; with the festival spanning nine nights dedicated to the divine feminine in various forms – each representing strength, wisdom, and prosperity.
This year's Navratri celebrations reached new heights, both metaphorically and literally, as the Rotary Club of Bhuj in Gujarat orchestrated a 10-day cultural extravaganza at the iconic Sandalwood Villa & Clubhouse Grounds in Mirjapar. Nestled in the heart of Gujarat, this sprawling venue, measuring a colossal 550 feet in length and 260 feet in breadth, set the stage for a celebration of music, dance, and devotion.
The cultural confluence witnessed performances by renowned artists, including the mesmerizing dhol virtuoso Aslam Dafrani of Hanif-Aslam fame, and soul-stirring singers Firoz Ladka, Amber Desai, Yasita Sharma, and Pallavi Dabholkar. The musical ensemble accompanying these greats was nothing short of spectacular, featuring an eclectic mix of instruments that included the likes of a complete Pearl Reference Pure drum kit, numerous keyboards, a Kittar, bass guitar, trumpet, banjo, saxophone, and a captivating array of wireless dhols and 'puneri' dhols.
High-energy performances not-withstanding; the undoubted unsung hero of this grand celebration was the meticulous and ingenious technical production of the event, which was expertly planned and executed by Phoenix Networks – a top-tier professional rental services company synonymous with providing world-class equipment and technical expertise. And while Phoenix Networks holds several distinctions, among which is the fact that they were the first company in India to acquire Meyer Sound’s esteemed PANTHER line array system; this event in particular marked a historic moment for the company, as it became the first-ever open-to-public event that the company deployed their prized PANTHERs in spectacular fashion that did absolute justice to the unbridled potential and power of the system.
“This was the perfect platform for us to showcase the true potential of the PANTHERs as the Navratri Celebrations organized by the Rotary Club Of Bhuj is by far one of the most prestigious and grand events to take place in the entire region. The sheer expanse and scale of the event was so magnanimous, that it not just presented us with the opportunity to demonstrate what the PANTHERs are capable of achieving, but also set the stage for our team of wonderfully talented and astute crew members at Phoenix Networks to shine bright with their impressive technical expertise and skill” comments Animesh Mishra, director of Phoenix Networks.
The planning and execution of the sound reinforcement solution at the heart of this 10-day long celebratory event were nothing short of novel and out-of-the-box; as the team of experts at Phoenix Networks embarked on a journey to create an immersive auditory experience that would envelope the massive audience space without the need for additional delay sound reinforcement systems.
Starting off with Meyer Sound's advanced MAPP3D software, the team meticulously crafted a map file, laying the groundwork for the perfect sound reinforcement solution that eventually saw no delay reinforcement solution being deployed whatsoever, despite the massive expanse of the ground.
The team then referenced the extensive MAPP3D analysis, and subsequently decided to fly the PANTHER line array system in all its glory at an impressive height of 42 feet; with 16 units of the PANTHER line array modules suspended on each side of the stage. The decision to do so not only helped team Phoenix Networks to guarantee remarkable projection, coverage, and linearity but also ensured that a substantial amount of headroom was left for mix engineers to elevate volume levels without compromising on clarity.
Furthermore, to enhance the low-frequency fidelity, Phoenix Networks adopted a truly ingenious and unique approach, as they decided to 'fly' six units of the compact yet powerful 1100 LFC subwoofers per side in a cardioid pattern; with this strategic move not only ensuring true linearity but also assertively ensuring that every beat resonated powerfully reached even the farthest corners of the vast ground with consistent projection and impact. This was the first time in known history that the 1100 LFC subwoofers were ever flown for an event of this size and magnitude; and this calculated move created an atmosphere that was not just sonically enchanting but also visually breath-taking.
Providing some much necessary insight on the reasoning behind this novel approach, Animesh explains, “Considering the sheer expanse of the ground and taking into account that we aimed to have no delay reinforcement solution whatsoever, we tested out quite a few configurations for the subwoofer placements and found that there was cancellation of the subs along centre-line of the audience space, while also noting a considerably high level of back rejection. We therefore tried configuring the subs in a cardioid pattern and also angling them to fire slightly outward. It was first time ever that we had tried this out, and the pressure projection readings turned out to be much better. Hence, we decided that we would fly the 12 subs in the same configuration but at a height of 39 feet, which allowed for better projection and coverage, while opting to also have 6 subs on the ground in front of the stage to further enhance the overall low-frequency experience for the audience.”
While the addition of six ground-stacked 1100 LFC subwoofers did bring together a magnificently impactful and ‘tight’ low-frequency fidelity experience; the auditory landscape was further enriched by eight supremely compact LINA line array modules from Meyer Sound, which were strategically placed as the center-fill reinforcement. The result was a breathtaking symphony of sound that resonated with unparalleled clarity, power, and intelligibility, captivating the audience from every angle.
Furthermore, to perfectly complement this cutting-edge loudspeaker solution, Phoenix Networks selected DiGiCo's flagship Quantum 338 digital mixing console and the renowned SD10 digital mixing console for the FOH and Monitoring stations, respectively, complete with 2 units of the SD Racks matched parallel with Optocore connectivity.
The commitment to excellence didn't stop with the audience; as the artists and performers on-stage received equal attention. Team Phoenix Networks equipped the stage with an almost un-ending array of world-class microphones, including the Shure Beta 52A and Beta 56A, Audix DP7, Sennheiser Neuman's clip-on microphones, Sennheiser 6000 wireless solution, and Shure's Axient Digital system. A total of 32 channels of Sennheiser 2000 In-Ear Monitors provided artists with a personalized monitoring experience, while eight MJF 210 wedges from Meyer Sound served as the primary floor-monitoring solution for the main artists to provide them with an extremely precise and nuanced feel of their performance. Alongside, 16 units of JBL's VRX 915M two-way stage monitors acted as the floor-monitoring solution for the band members, which allowed them to partake in a truly immersive performance experience.
Needless to say; the 10-day long Navratri celebratory extravaganza at the Sandalwood Villa & Clubhouse grounds were nothing short of spectacular, as the audience and performers alike, found themselves immersed in an enchanting sonic tapestry that is sure to remain etched in their hearts and minds for years to come. Senior members of the event’s organizing committee at the Rotary Club of Bhuj seem to resonate in agreement, as one of the distinguished members commented, “The meticulous planning, innovative solutions, and unwavering commitment to delivering a sonic spectacle by Phoenix Networks has undoubtedly transformed the Rotary Club of Bhuj's Navratri celebrations into a true auditory masterpiece. The fusion of traditional cultural celebrations with cutting-edge audio technology created an experience that that we’ve never had before, and we were so pleased to see all our club members, guests, and performers enjoying the true spirit of Navratri. Kudos to team Phoenix Networks for their exemplary passion and commitment!”
At the end of it all as the echoes of the celebration faded, it’s safe to say that the impact of this harmonious extravaganza will resonate far beyond the grounds of Sandalwood Villa, as it leaves an indelible mark on the landscape of live sound production.