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Oasis (festival)

Annual cultural festival of BITS Pilani From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oasis (festival)
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Oasis is the annual cultural festival of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani. Spanning 96 hours of uninterrupted festivities, Oasis is entirely student-organised and is widely regarded as one of India's premier college cultural festivals. It includes a rich variety of music, dance, drama, fashion, comedy, and other performing arts competitions and shows.

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The 50th edition in 2022 was themed Demesne of The Lost Gold, commemorating 50 years of the festival with grand celebrations. The 51st edition in 2023 embraced the theme Grimoire Galore, exploring magic and mystical books, while the 52nd edition in 2024 was titled Regal Roulette, inspired by the allure of casinos and the excitement of chance.

Today, Oasis is recognized as one of India’s oldest and most prestigious college cultural festivals, known for its professional shows, semi-professional music competition Rocktaves, and vibrant student-led organization.

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History

Oasis began in 1971 as a modest intra-college event aimed at fostering a cultural environment among students. Over time, it grew into a national-level festival attracting colleges from all over India. The festival is organised completely by students and has evolved in scale and reputation with every passing year.

Recent themes have included:

  • 2016 – Of Gods and Men
  • 2017 – Realms of Fiction
  • 2018 – The Far Our Fest
  • 2019 – Neon Noir
  • 2022 – Demesne of the Lost Gold (50th edition celebration)
  • 2023 – Grimoire Galore
  • 2024 – Regal Roulette
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Events and activities

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Oasis hosts over 50 events across various artistic and intellectual domains, featuring participation from 350+ colleges across India.

Music

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Still from Oasis 2024
  • Rocktaves – Rocktaves, the flagship musical event of Oasis, is one of India’s most prestigious collegiate rock competitions. With prelims held in eight major cities—Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Pune, and Guwahati—the event ensures nationwide participation and talent discovery. More than just a contest, Rocktaves has become a cultural phenomenon shaping India’s independent music scene. Notable alumni include The Local Train, Parikrama, Indian Ocean, Anand Bhaskar Collective and Euphoria.
  • Rap Wars – Premier hip-hop contest. Previous participants who've gone on to achieve popularity are Raga, Seehe Maut, Raftaar and Arpit Bala.
  • Pitch Perfect, Andholika, Tarang, Free Jam, Drums Duel, Axetacy – A cappella, solo vocals, instrumental, improvisation, percussion, and guitar events.

Dance

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FashP at Rotunda
  • Events include Choreo, Street Dance, Razzmataz, Desert Duel, and Tandav, covering a wide range of styles from classical to urban contemporary.

Fashion and fine arts

  • FASHP (Fashion Show), Mr. & Mrs. Oasis, and Femina Miss India Campus Rounds
  • Metamorphosis, Splash, Exposure – Videography, face painting, and photography contests.

Drama and public speaking

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Still from Oasis 2024
  • The theatrical events at Oasis uphold academic and artistic standards, encompassing a diverse range of performance formats. The Stage Play competition features full-length dramatic productions, while Street Play events highlight themes of social relevance and encourage audience interaction.
  • Mock Parliament blends performance with simulated political debate, and the Oasis Debate tests participants' oratory and argumentative skills. Other events include Mime, BLAB (an extempore speaking contest), the Oasis Quiz (focusing on general and academic knowledge), and Treasure Hunt (a team-based problem-solving challenge). These activities frequently address contemporary social issues and foster constructive cultural discourse.

N2O: The Comedy Night

N2O is the concluding event of Oasis, serving as the festival’s grand finale. It features prominent stand-up comedians from across India and is recognized as a signature event that marks the official close of the 96-hour cultural celebration. Over the years, N2O has become an integral part of Oasis, known for delivering light-hearted entertainment and drawing large audiences. The event reflects the festival’s tradition of concluding with a high-energy, engaging performance that leaves attendees with lasting memories.

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Professional nights

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Vishal Mishra at Oasis 2024
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Seedhe Maut at Oasis 2024

Bollywood Night

The crown jewel of Oasis entertainment, the Hindi Prof Show represents the festival's most anticipated event, featuring collaborations with Bollywood's biggest names. Past headliners include:

EDM & Hip-Hop Night

OASIS's EDM Night transforms the campus into India's largest collegiate electronic music destination, featuring internationally acclaimed DJs and cutting-edge production values.

Indie Night

Indie Night provides a premium platform for independent artists, celebrating artistic innovation and fostering India's emerging music ecosystem. Featured artists:

Organisation

Oasis is organized by StuCCA (Students' Council for Cultural Activities), including the General Secretary and the President of the Students' Union.

Major departments

  • Department of Controlz
  • Reception and Accommodation (RecNAcc)
  • Art, Design and Publicity (ADP)
  • Publications and Correspondence (PCr)
  • Department of Visual Media (DVM)

Minor departments

  • Department of Firewallz
  • Department of Live Events
  • Department of Photography (DoPy)
  • Informalz
  • Lights
  • Sounds
  • Audi Force
  • Backstage
  • Department of Theatre
  • Sponsorship and Marketing
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Sponsorships and collaborations

Oasis receives corporate and media sponsorship from:

External links

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