“13 years it’s been, but Oasis feels the same. It hasn’t changed at all,” said Rohan Junior, wandering down NAB’s (New Academic Building) meandering pathway and gazing up at the Clock Tower.
“Of course it hasn’t. Why would it? It’s been the same since my first year,” chucked Rohan Senior.
“Come on, dad. You’re exaggerating! Wasn’t your Oasis in ‘72 like an amusement fair? I don’t think departments (student groups in charge of the fest) existed either. Nor any fancy events or themes, or sponsorship.”
“Those do not characterize a fest,” mumbled the old man
“What is it, then?”
“I don’t know.”
I do know, however. Ironically enough, I reached the answer while trying to disprove the old man, by digging through old magazines in the library, asking wise fourth-years and pass-outs, and browsing through newsletter archives, to characterize the fest in these very terms. Here’s what I found:
Departments
At the time of inception of Oasis, rather “Mayur” in 1971, after two years of deliberations and planning, existed only two departments – “Controlz” and “Art & D”. The fest was indeed like a mela; It would be held in Shiv Ganga with a few stalls and many kinds of rides. As the fest grew and achieved a relatively constant structure by the late 80’s, many other departments and clubs had been formed.
Events and Themes
Themes in the past have varied from the simple (Magic (‘90); Fantasy (‘93); Adventure (2000)) to the obscure (Apotheosis (2003); Nix Periphera (2005); UnioMystica (2008)); from the quirky (Egypt (‘92); Call of the Wind (‘98),That 90s Show (2013)) to the sombre (Psychedelia (2007); Insomnia (2010), Of Gods and Men(2016)).
While some hugely popular events like Razzmatazz, that used to have the auditorium packed to the rafters, and other drama and dance events, have lost a little sheen; others like Treasure Hunt and BLAB have become major crowd pullers. And though some events like the hyped Adravaganza have vanished in their entirety, a few still remain as attractive as ever – Fash P (fashion parade) and Rocktaves (rock music contest).
Prof-Shows
Prof-shows in general are no more big enough reasons to cancel your ticket. In the days of yore, the line-up would consist of Indian Ocean together with Pari-we-need-no-introduction-in-Pilani-krama (Rocktaves Runner-Ups, subsequently winners, BOSM performers), and Euphoria alongside Antharagini and Motherjane. Today, the StuCCA frets nights over stub signings in the messes.
Of course there would be the occasional experimenting irritant – Brahma infuriating crowds in 2002 by doing metallic versions of Lennon’s Imagine, Baba Sehgal doing a 5-hour sound check – but when Sivamani would imitate sounds of a train passing over bridge through his legendary drumming skills, goose bumps would be galore. What with Amit Trivedi gracing Oasis ’16, the prof shows have hit a new high.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship, for obvious reasons, would never be constant. At times, Gandhi’s printed face would inundate us and departments would get generous ANC budgets (money to spend on food before and during fests), while on other occasions we would be driven in to an austerity mode – like after the 7 lakh deficit in Oasis 2001.
Participation
Showing no consideration to any of the factors mentioned above, participants from our dear capital would never fail to get our eyes widening, trousers tightening, and, as always, we’d fail to get a hold of those tough ladies who’d never feel cold. In an opinion poll conducted by our forerunners when Oasis was reduced to a four day affair in 2002 from a 120-hour fiesta, this was the first comment from a regular gawker – “BITSian girls after just 4 days now.”
Fairly understandable progress, you would say. Why doesn’t this sum up the fest? Because you don’t stay back to work for one of the biggest student-run fests of the country. Well more than half of you don’t. You don’t stay back for Domino’s; you have a dozen pizzerias back home. Here’s what it is, in the words of a cheesy but sagacious person from some Oasis past:
“Oasis 2007 wasn’t about how long we stayed up during the rock shows, or about Luck Ali’s live performance, or the sponsorships or the theme. If I attempt to capture the essence by describing the noise levels that Fash P induced or the feverish ecstasy inspired by four restless nights outside MB (girl’s hostel), it would be a highly inadequate attempt indeed. The moment all of us, with our differences in enthusiasm, age and interests, stared in exhilarated wonder at the glittering expanse of an exploding sky, shivering with communal anticipation in the October chill. Every one of us lightning-struck souls waiting to be transported to Elysium together.”