The Oasis English Press sat down with Devyansh Manchanda, the Oasis Coordinator of Comedy Hub (Comhub), to learn about the club’s preparations for the fest.
Devyansh explained that the club organised two events at this Oasis: a stand-up show where first-years got the chance to perform on stage and showcase their talents, and BITS Got Latent. He noted that BITS Got Latent had also been conducted in the previous Oasis but was followed by controversy surrounding a participant’s stage performance. To prevent a similar incident this year, Devyansh said that all contestants and performances underwent an audition and vetting process before the event. Devyansh also stated that this year’s edition of Latent would be the final edition. In addition to these two events, two ComHub members would open for the professional comedians performing as part of N2O, continuing a practice the club has followed in previous years. According to him, comedians such as Ashish Solanki and Chirag Panjwani were expected to perform during the fest.
Speaking about social media outreach, Devyansh said that ComHub had collaborated with ADP to produce skits and Vox Pop reels for Oasis. One reel featured on-campus content creator ‘Dizzy Attitude’. The questions on the Vox Pop incorporated questions that were related to the theme of the fest, The Dawn of the Djinns.
According to Devyansh, preparations began shortly after recruitment. The club first conducted joke-writing workshops, followed by set-review sessions. In the joke-writing class, club seniors taught the new recruits how to write, frame, and deliver a joke and its punchline in a humorous way. The first years then used these newly taught talents to perform in the stand-up show. The seniors constituted the panel of the BITS Got Latent.
When asked about his experience as Coordinator, Devyansh stated that it was hectic but enjoyable. He credited Pahulpreet Kaur and Arpit Banka for making his job manageable and expressed gratitude towards them. He said his term had been a great learning experience.
On a parting note, Devyansh encouraged all students to experience Oasis to the fullest and recommended attending the Bhangra Nite that the PCA conducts.