The Oasis English Press spoke to the Coordinator of the Department of Theatre (DoT), Ritwik Rai, about the events the department would conduct at this Oasis.

Ritwik started by explaining that DoT would be responsible for running seven kernel events spanning four prominent domains of art—dance, music, theatre, and fashion. He mentioned that in addition to these events, DoT had also invited a theatre group from Delhi called Sukhmanch to perform theatrical and nukkad natak-style plays. 

The two dance competitions held by DoT are Street Dance and Choreo. Ritwik elaborated that Street Dance would be a hip-hop dance battle; participants started with their choreographed performances, and then went head-to-head against each other in a battleground-style showdown. He added that Street Dance had always been an organisational challenge for the department. On the other hand, Choreo would be a contemporary dance competition where ‘each dance conveys a story through movement.’

In Tarang, the bands have to play Indian rock fusion music, and the other music event, Pitch Perfect, would be an a cappella contest, which would be held in the NAB auditorium. The department would also hold two theatre events. He stated that Stage Play would be the first of these and would feature contestants performing hour-long plays in genres that would vary from comedy to thrillers. The second theatre event, Street Play, would be a nukkad natak competition held in FD-II.

When asked if DoT would be incorporating the Oasis theme in their events this year, he shared that the events conducted by their department were quite ‘set in their own ways’ and that the fashion competition, Fashion Parade, would be the only event reflecting the theme. 

He remarked that his experience as coordinator had been ‘hectic.’ He added that he was aware of the responsibilities and called it a ‘fun challenge’. On a parting note, he urged people to attend DoT’s events and assured them that they would be thoroughly entertained.