India recently played host to what is now being touted as the largest and most extravagant spiritual celebratory event to ever take place in Asia; with leading sound rental solutions provider J Live (also known as Jagdish Sound) commissioning the end-to-end world-class live audio solution for the mammoth event experience.
In a breathtaking display of devotion, the month-long centenary celebration event titled ‘Pujya Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav,’ unfolded in all its grandeur at the sprawling 600+ acres complex of the Pramukh Swami Nagar in Ahmedabad; drawing an awe-inspiring and staggering attendance of over 121 million people.
Replete with several large decorative gateways to welcome and guide visitors to various different sections of the Nagar, the venue in total was adorned with magnificent works of architecture such as a larger-than-life 30-foot statue of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’ along with depictions of his great life and works; in addition to a near-perfect replica of Delhi’s iconic Akshardham Mandir, an enchanting glow garden, a plush Women’s Empowerment Pavilion and countless other mesmerising attractions. The month-long spiritual extravaganza surpassed all expectations and left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of those fortunate enough to witness it.
True to all its grandeur and absolutely mammoth scale, the ‘Pujya Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav’ hosted one of the most extensive and complex live sound setups ever witnessed in India. And spearheading the seamless live sound reinforcement for the entire event was the immensely reputed and versatile rental solutions provider, JLive – whose expertise elevated the auditory experience to new heights.
“We have been associated with the Sanstha for over 35 years now, and we have been serving this cause with immense pride. The Pujya Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious events that we have been a part of, and it was such an honour for us to have played such an integral role in bringing together a truly unparalleled divine spiritual experience!” comments Malvik Bhavasr, director of JLive.
Affording a more precise idea of the actual scale of the month-long festivities, Malvik explains that the entire expanse of Pramukh Swami Nagar was divided into 16 domes, each of which showcased cultural programmes and dramas that represented the values and ideologies of Pramukh Swami Maharaj; while an absolutely massive open landscape near the Pramukh Swami Nagar was selected to host the opening and closing ceremonies.
“We began our work on-field over 10 days before the start of the event, and we planned to execute the sound reinforcement in the domes at around the same time that we were setting up for the opening ceremony. We did a lot of planning in the background leading up to the event; and meticulously chose the audio reinforcement for each of the individual stages with due consideration to the dynamics at each of the respective spaces, as well as the kind of programming planned for those stages.
One section within the Pramukh Swami Nagar called the ‘Bal Nagari’ consisted of 3 domes which hosted educational shows and interactive games for children; and each of these three domes were outfitted with 5.1 audio reinforcement featuring 12 units of the RCF HDL 20 line array modules in conjunction with 2 units of the RCF SUB 8006 and an M32R mixing console from MIDAS. On the other hand, the remaining 12 domes hosted a variety of cultural dramas, with each of these 12 domes being installed with 6 units of the RCF HDL 20 line array modules along with 2 units of the RCF SUB 8006 subwoofers and analogue mixing console. The other satellite dome, which hosted folk dances and music, was installed with a total of 12 units of the EAW KF740 line array modules, paired with 4 units of the RCF SUB 8006 subwoofers and an M32R mixing console from MIDAS.”
While all of these attractions were undoubtedly amazing in their own right, Malvik informs that one of the undisputed audience favourites at the month-long festivities was the spectacular light and sound show which took place at a plush outdoor section and showcased the various life stages of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Considering the scale and level of detailing involved in creating a truly immersive audio-visual experience for the audience; team JLive decided to equip this particular section with 16 units of the JBL VERTEC 4889 and 12 units of the JBL VERTEC 4888 line-array modules along with a total of 12 units of VERTEC 4880 subwoofers.
Another massive attraction at the Pujya Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav was the “Evening Sabha” stage which was hosted at an open-air amphitheatre within the Pramukh Swami Nagar complex. The event programming, which involved a series of melodic musical experiences, was full of grandeur and drew an attendance of multitudes which also comprised prominent names from the world of business and politics as special guests. Team JLive decided to equip the stage at this section with over 24 units of the RCF HDL 50 and 20 units of the RCF HDL 20 line array modules along with a total of 12 units of the RCF SUB 9007-AS subwoofers, all of which came together beautifully to offer a deeply impactful sonic experience for the audience. Furthermore, the team deployed a single console of the Allen & Heath dLive S7000 as the main FOH mix solution, along with a single unit of the Avid Venue SC48 mixing console dedicated for the symphony and chorus part of the cultural band performances.
“Without a doubt though, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Pujya Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav were the real headliners of this magnanimous spiritual celebratory experience. The exceptional scale and meticulous attention to detail at these two larger-than-life events drew hundreds of thousands of devotees, all of whom enjoyed a truly bespoke world-class sound experience and were left with a lasting impression of Swami Maharaj’s glorious teachings!” asserted Malvik.
The opening ceremony was flagged off by the honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and graced by dignitaries like Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel, and senior swamis of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha; whereas the closing ceremony, titled, ‘We Will Not Forget You’, encompassed a grand devotional tribute in the divine presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, and included a melange of dance, music performances, and recitals that paid homage to the life and works of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Malvik explains that since the same venue was chosen to host the opening and closing ceremonies, the audio reinforcement solution, along with all the logistical planning and execution remained the same, thereby affording the team a greater level of efficiency in terms of actual setup, calibration and de-rigging.
In itself, the venue hosting the monumental opening and closing ceremonies was outfitted with one of the largest live sound setups ever witnessed in India for a spiritual event. The formidable FOH (Front of House) system consisted of an impressive array of 92 units of L-Acoustics K2, 32 units of L-Acoustics K1, and 24 units of L-Acoustics V Dosc line array systems respectively; and the expert commissioning of these world-class loudspeakers by team JLive afforded a seamless confluence of crystal-clear sound propagation and enveloping audio coverage throughout the first few rows of the event grounds.
Furthermore, team JLive also deployed a stellar delay reinforcement solution comprising 24 units of JBL VERTEC 4889 line array modules that was flawlessly integrated to optimize sound distribution and guarantee an immersive listening experience for the audience members located at the farthest extents of the colossal venue. The comprehensive and exhaustive loudspeaker system was aligned and tuned using SMAART v8.
“The L-Acoustics K2, K1, and V Dosc loudspeakers showcased their unparalleled versatility, faithfully reproducing the celestial music and soul-stirring discourses that unfolded on the grand stage. The precision and intelligibility of these world-class audio solutions ensured that no nuance or emotion was lost in transmission, allowing the spiritual teachings to reach each individual with utmost clarity and impact. Moreover, the JBL VERTEC 4889 delay reinforcement system contributed to the cohesive audio experience, eliminating any temporal disparities between the main stage and the farthest reaches of the venue. The synchronization achieved between the main sound source and the delays ensured a consistent and immersive sonic journey for every member of the massive gathering” commented Malvik.
At the helm of this sonic marvel were two units of the revered DiGiCo SD10 mixing consoles, which served as the nerve-center for controlling and fine-tuning the audio landscape; with the intuitive interface and cutting-edge technology of the SD10 allowing for seamless sound manipulation and precision audio delivery. Here, team JLive employed the use of XTA-MX36 console switching systems which allowed for a sublime experience in transitioning between the consoles when needed.
Additionally, the team deployed an intricate network of fibre-optic cabling that formed the backbone of the signal flow and online processing systems. And at the same time, the team extensively fulfilled the demand for world-class IEM capabilities by affording over 40 units of the Sennheiser 2000 systems.
Commenting about the high-quality aural experience brought together by team JLive at the centenary celebrations, a prominent member of the festival’s organizing committee exclaimed, “The ‘Pujya Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav’ transcended the boundaries of a traditional spiritual gathering, as it captivated attendees with its immersive audio-visual extravaganza. The impressive live sound reinforcement provided by JLive played a pivotal role in enhancing the overall sensory experience. Every word uttered by the revered spiritual leaders echoed with pristine clarity, resonating with the hearts of millions!”
Malvik himself was extremely pleased with the fruits of team JLive’s labour, as he happily concludes, “The Pujya Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav will forever be etched in the annals of history as an unparalleled celebration of spirituality and human connection. And the flawless execution of the live sound reinforcement throughout the month-long celebrations serves as a testament to the technical prowess and unwavering commitment of JLive. By expertly deploying the top-of-the-line products and systems, our team achieved an unprecedented level of audio quality and precision, even in the face of immense logistical challenges. The auditory experience matched the magnitude of the event itself, and stands as a testament to the transformative power of sound and its ability to elevate moments of profound significance to extraordinary heights!”
