With Oasis only a few days away, the Oasis English Press sat down with Vaibhav Uttam, the coordinator of the Department of Stage Controls (Backstage), to understand more about the work they do for the fest.

Vaibhav explained that Backstage handles all the logistical requirements for events happening in the Main Auditorium. Working in conjunction with the Department of Lights and the Department of Sounds, they ensure that these events run as smoothly as possible. In addition, they also handle the Inaug from start to finish, including the compering involved for it. He added that they would be managing production requirements this year along with ARBITS, and are in talks with vendors for the same. Backstage is also responsible for making a sculpture and is making a metal coffin this year, keeping in line with the theme. Oasis 2023 also marks the return of BLAB — BITS Language Aptitude Battle — an oratory competition the department is conducting for the first time post-COVID.

When asked whether the department was facing any issues, Vaibhav shed some light on the ideological differences he had experienced between the juniors and the seniors. He said that Backstage was a very different department pre- and post-pandemic. He explained that while this had caused some problems earlier, the department had risen past them and were now working as efficiently as they could.

Touching upon his experience as a coordinator, Vaibhav reminisced on how he had been adamant about not joining a department in his first year as he felt they were ‘pointless’. He said he was happy he was later proved wrong, as he has immensely enjoyed his time in the department. He said that he figured out the ‘point’ of fest work while doing the work itself, and that everyone in Stage Controls made it worth a lot for him.

Ending on that note, Vaibhav urged everyone to participate in BLAB. He asked BITSians to “stay sober”, be safe, and have as much fun as they could during the fest.