BITS Pilani: Oasis in the Desert
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani celebrated the 51st edition of its Annual Cultural Festival, Oasis, from October 27-31, 2023. It has grown to become one of India's oldest and most celebrated cultural festival ever since its inception in 1971. Oasis, which takes place at the end of October each year, is a testament to the students' vibrant spirit and creative prowess at BITS Pilani. The festival lasted for around 96 hours and was entirely managed by the student body.
Each year, it is organized around a different theme, and the official theme for Oasis '23 was "Grimoire Galore." "Grimoire": A grimoire is a book that contains magical spells, rituals, and occult knowledge. It is commonly linked to witchcraft, the occult, and supernatural practices. "Galore": "Galore" means "abundance" or "in large quantities." It is frequently used to indicate the presence of something in large quantities or to excess.
A Celebration of Diversity and Counter-Culture:
Oasis has always been more than a festival; it's an extraordinary experience that embodies the spirit of BITS Pilani. The festival has a motto, "96 hours, can't stop, won't stop," and embodies progress while embracing both traditional and avant-garde ideas. Over the years, Oasis has incorporated various subcultures into the festival. These counter-cultures serve as a forum for self-expression and identity, displaying values and norms that differ from those of the mainstream.
Student-Driven Excellence:
What distinguishes BITS Pilani's Oasis is that it is entirely managed by students. Everything is orchestrated by the dedicated student body, from securing sponsors to providing accommodations for participants, organizing professional shows, and inviting guests and celebrities. Months before the festival, various departments and clubs at the college work tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the festival runs smoothly. The students' collaborative effort and coordination make both the festival and the college itself magical.
Evolution of Oasis:
Over the years, Oasis had grown from a small fun fete to a grand festival that drew over 200 colleges from across the country. It is a platform for talent to shine and emphasizes the importance of holistic development.
Stage from Oasis 2002
Notable Past Performances:
Oasis '14 was an exhilarating spectacle for everyone, with some renowned musicians visiting the campus with fantastic performances. At the festival, Benny Dayal, Raghu Dixit, the Mysore Brothers, The East India Comedy, and Sunburn performed. These performances improved the enjoyment of BITSians, staff, and over 1400 outstation students, guaranteeing a terrific experience for all in attendance. Dr. Kiran Bedi's talk on 'India in Your Hands' shed light on the truth behind the country's corruption, politics, and policies.
Oasis'17 was BITS Pilani's 47th Annual Cultural Festival, held from October 31st to November 4th, 2017, with the captivating theme of 'Realms of Fiction.'
Throughout Oasis, we had the pleasure of hosting exceptional performers such as Amit Trivedi, Farhan Akhtar, Kailash Kher, Vishal-Shekhar, Shankar-Ehsan-Loy, K.K, Benny Dayal, Papon, and many more. While dancing to the upbeat music of Sunburn and the Red Bull Tour Bus with DJs like Zaeden, Shaan, and Anish Sood, he laughed with TVF, East India Comedy, Abish Matthew, Biswa Kalyan Rath, and Kenny Sebastian. These incredible events and performances in 2017 left him with cherished memories on which he can reflect fondly.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the renowned Bollywood musical trio, had mesmerized the audience with their magical performance at Oasis '18. With their distinct styles, comedians such as Abhishek Upmanyu and Jaspreet Singh added humor and wit to the festival.
Oasis '19 had a "Neon Noir" theme and featured international acts such as Dan Deacon and Indian EDM sensation Nucleya. A mesmerizing performance by Carnatic music maestro Abhishek Raghuram and a power-packed show by Bollywood playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan rounded out the festival. With performances by Biswa Kalyan Rath, comedy had taken center stage.
Oasis '20 celebrated its golden jubilee with the theme "Alchemist's Prophecy" and featured performances by EDM DJ Dastic and Lisa Mishra's energetic voice. Rocktaves, Unspoken, And the Scene, Desert Duel, and Swaranjali had all been notable events.
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