An action-packed drama starring Ninja Hattori, an adventurous trail that gives way for Dora’s quirks or Rapunzel’s lustrous hair, any of these elements can turn out to be an inspiration for a birthday bash. For the creators of Fun Squared, Shobana Vijay Anand and Sudha Gururaj who plan such theme-based parties for a living, it is a cake-walk, literally so.
With Shobana’s work experience in event management companies and science graduate Sudha’s feverish imagination, the genesis of Fun Squared was inevitable. What started as an online conversation between two strangers with mutual interests blossomed into cherished friendship and a full- fledged event management company in September 2010.The bubbly entrepreneurs who make sure every party is special for sprightly youngsters and their pals, say the spark for their themes comes from closer home.
Drawing inspiration
Shobana credits her five-year-old daughter Shreya and Sudha’s four-year-old daughter Anjana with sowing the seed for Fun Squared. “Every year when we used to plan parties for our kids, we used to come up with ideas to do something different. When we managed to make it a success for our kids, we thought why not try to do the same for others,” smiles Shobana, who conjured up the characters for Shreya’s favourite fairy tale Rapunzel without much ado. The maiden venture exposed her to the trials and triumphs she had to conquer to host a theme party.
Researching for themes
While your passion keeps you going, generating ideas and fine-tuning their themes based on every child’s interest is all about meticulous research. Shobana says, “For the Ninja Hattori party, we didn’t find any existing material on it… so I had to watch episodes of the cartoons, grasp the characteristics and ideate. But I had a blast since my daughter helped me.”
What’s more? Even the colour of the streamers, balloons and their in-house cakes dwell on the characteristics of the ‘cartoon of the day’. While Dora is linked with purple and pink hues, Ninja means all out blue.
“It involves a lot of brain storming. We have to think from the child’s perspective,” explains Shobana.
Handmade invites for the unique touch
Crafting handmade invites and thank you cards replete with captivating art work comes easily to this dynamic duo. In fact, the lock of golden hair, beautiful calligraphy, and thumb prints that fill the greeting cards for their Rapunzel-inspired birthday bash, speaks volumes for their creativity.
Funky games
Imagine stumbling on hurdles in a dark tunnel, battling your fears and retrieving the prize stolen by an evil fox, the cartoon that pops into your head is of course Dora the adventurer. Keeping this theme in mind to recreate the sights and sounds of the much-admired cartoon, Fun Squared designed a game comprising hurdles and blocks till they reached the final destination. Theme games are undoubtedly their USP. Even mundane games get a fun twist. The Little Krishna party they hosted is a standing example.
Carnival of life
To add to their exciting portfolio, Fun Squared has joined hands with schools like PSBB Millennium and Root to Wings Playschool to organise carnivals. From game stalls, nail art, on-stage events and a host of food counters, the fun fairs are best known for being high on the entertainment quotient.
“Our drive to be different pushes us harder to innovate. The best moments in the journey has been bringing a smile to every child’s face,” says Shobana.