The city of Deoghar, also known as Baidyanath Dham, stands as a pivotal religious destination in India, revered for its association with Lord Shiva. The Shrawan Mela, an annual month-long fair held during July and August, which brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to thiscity, culminating in a vibrant amalgamation of faith, culture, and celebration. This year, the festivities took on a new dimension, with Headway Kreations delivering a visual extravaganza.
Headway Kreations was tasked with conceptualising, designing, and commissioning a series of breathtaking visual experiences across multiple sites in and around Deoghar.
Yogesh Choudhary, founder-director of Headway Kreations, commented: “We have been part of this industry for 17 years, building trust and delivering excellence. Headway Kreations’ journey began in 2007 under the name Laser Vibgyor, focusing on laser-based visual solutions. Over the years, the company evolved, rebranding as Headway Kreations in 2017 to reflect our expanded portfolio and holistic approach to visual technology. Today, we stand as a trusted partner for clients across India, consistently delivering high-quality results that exceed expectations. Our long-standing relationship with the organisers of Shrawan Mela is a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation. From projection mapping expositions to immersive laser shows and unique aqua-screen projections, the audience experiences that we’ve coalesced at the Shrawan Mela 2024 celebration showcased a truly seamless blend of technology and creativity.”
The festivities extended beyond the temple precincts to include key locations such as Dumka – a neighbouring city that shares a common history with Deoghar; Basukinath – where ‘Bol Bam’ pilgrims pour holy water on the ‘Shivaling’ after a multi-day journey; and the iconic Clock Tower in Deoghar which is a popular marketplace.
At the core of the visual spectacles was a carefully curated projection mapping narrative that brought to life the legend of Ravana’s devotion to Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Ravana offered his nine heads to the deity, and as he prepared to sacrifice the tenth, Lord Shiva appeared, pleased with his offering. This tale, steeped in devotion and faith, was illustrated through intricate visuals designed by Headway Kreations; with the content not only celebrating the religious significance of Deoghar but also educating viewers about its cultural and spiritual heritage.
Detailing the nuances of the projection mapping content, Yogesh explained: “Our goal was to craft an experience that wasn’t just visually striking but deeply immersive—while staying true to the cultural essence of the Shrawan Mela. We focused on creating a narrative that honoured Deoghar’s spiritual significance, delivering a rich, visually captivating journey that was as enlightening as it was awe-inspiring.”
The story was played four times each evening, over the course of the month-long Mela with each session lasting 40 minutes.
To ensure a seamless, cohesive, and high-quality viewing experience, Yogesh and his team began by conducting an in-depth analysis of the client’s requirements and an evaluation of each individual site i.e. Dumka, Basukinath and the Clock Tower respectively.
To bring this vision to life, they opted to deploy the AquaScript water-screen from ASL (Aquatech Sound & Lighting) and the D1-RGB60W lasers from LVS (Laser Vibgyor Systems).
Yogesh revealed: “ASL and LVS are both sister enterprises of Headway Kreations; and hence, they both embody a shared ethos of innovation and precision in visual storytelling. Engineered to perfection, their respective flagship technologies i.e. the AquaScript and D1-RGB60W exemplify this commitment; as both systems are built to excel in crucial performance metrics like output brilliance, operational efficiency, and rugged durability. Throughout the course of the demanding 30-day event, these systems delivered flawless results, proving their ability to withstand the challenging and unpredictable Indian environmental conditions without compromising on quality or impact."
At Dumka, Headway Kreations harnessed the capabilities of Epson EB-PU2220B projectors to project imagery onto ASL’s proprietary AquaScript water-screen. The audience experience was elevated further with the integration of 10 units of the LVS D1-RGB60W lasers.
A similar awe-inspiring setup graced the Basukinath site, where the synergy of AquaScript water-screens, Epson projectors, and the D1-RGB60W lasers recreated the same effect.
At the iconic Clock Tower, the Epson EB-PU2220B projectors bathed the historic structure in vivid visuals.
Regarding the challenges faced, Yogesh said: “To be honest, the main challenges we faced were more operational rather than technical. For example, the Dumka site, where the AquaScript water-screen was installed, presented significant operational hurdles. The pond designated for the installation was fraught with muddy water and even snakes, making it a daunting environment for the team to maintain operational efficiency while ensuring personal safety.
“That being said, meticulous planning and unwavering determination allowed our team at Headway Kreations to overcome these obstacles and deliver a flawless performance. By addressing every potential issue with a detailed plan of every single move, we not only ensured the safety of our team but also maintained a consistent high-quality output throughout the rigorous 30-day show run. The end result was worth every effort.”
Beyond Dumka, the team also faced a separate set of challenges at the Clock Tower; as the team was forced to mitigate the presence of bustling crowds while ensuring the projection equipment stayed precisely in position and accurately active. Yogesh said: “While working at the Clock Tower site, the objective for our team was to maintain world-class visual output without disrupting visitor movement in any way, shape or form. And I’m proud to say that once again, team Headway Kreations rose to the occasion, demonstrating their collective commitment to excellence.”
The organising committee of Shrawan Mela 2024 was effusive in their praise for Headway Kreations and a representative commented: “Headway Kreations went above and beyond to deliver a spectacle that resonated with every visitor. Their work wasn’t just about visuals; it reflected a deep commitment to celebrating the cultural significance of the event. Their attention to detail and their passion for excellence are unparalleled. They didn’t just meet expectations—they set a new standard for immersive experiences at cultural events.”
Yogesh concluded: “The overall experience has been truly remarkable. Both the client and the viewers thoroughly enjoyed the entire month, and we’re proud to have contributed to this unique celebration. As Headway Kreations looks to the future, our commitment to innovation and excellence remains unwavering. With a proven track record and a visionary approach, we are poised to redefine the possibilities of visual technology design and deployment in India.”