BHAVAI PERFORMANCE SETS TONE FOR MAKER FEST VADODARA 2026: RAISES QUESTIONS ON AI

Vadodara, 11 January — The eighth edition of Maker Fest Vadodara 2026 was inaugurated on Saturday at the Main Ground of the Faculty of Technology and Engineering (FoTE), The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, with a distinctive Bhavai performance that brought Gujarat’s traditional folk theatre into conversation with contemporary debates on artificial intelligence, technological change and human values.

Titled Innovation ni Bhavai, the inaugural presentation sought to bridge cultural heritage and modern innovation by situating emerging technologies within a familiar folk narrative. The performance explored pressing questions around automation, employment and ethical responsibility in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Written by Brijesh Panchal and Vaibhav Thakkar, with music composed by Mishal Bhatiya, the production was directed by Yashashvi Pandya under the mentorship of P. S. Chari. It was staged by TRIVENI Vadodara and its team, known for their commitment to socially engaged theatre.

Through satire, humour, music and sharp dialogue, the Bhavai examined the expanding role of artificial intelligence in everyday life. Characters such as Ranglo, Rangli, the Vidushak, youth representatives, and AI depicted in the forms of both Siri and a robot reflected public anxieties over growing dependence on machines. At the same time, the narrative underscored that technology—however advanced—remains a tool, not a replacement for human judgement, sensitivity and ethical reasoning.

The performance addressed concerns related to job displacement, data-driven decision-making and the gradual erosion of human interaction. It concluded with a clear message: adaptability, continuous learning and emotional intelligence are uniquely human strengths that cannot be replicated by machines.

Addressing the audience, H. T. Patel, Managing Trustee of Yuvalay, observed that the performance highlighted the risks of innovation divorced from human values. He emphasized that technological progress must be guided by compassion, responsibility and ethics, noting that the concluding theme of “Technology with Values” resonated strongly with students, educators, innovators and visitors present at the inauguration.

Maker Fest Vadodara 2026 is being organized by Yuvalay in collaboration with the Vadodara Innovation Council, with the Faculty of Technology and Engineering, MSU Baroda, as co-host. The festival serves as a platform for makers, startups, students and educators to showcase ideas, prototypes and solutions focused on sustainable and inclusive development.

The opening event set a thoughtful tone for the festival, positioning innovation within a broader social and cultural framework and reinforcing Maker Fest Vadodara’s emphasis on creativity anchored in social responsibility.