Organized by the AIT Student Union under the theme “Share
Similarities, Celebrate Differences”, the eight-hour extravaganza
attracted a capacity crowd of over five-hundred to the AIT Auditorium
on a festive Friday night.
AIT Vice President for Academic Affairs Prof. S. Kumar, who himself
participated in the show as an AIT student, delivered the opening
remarks. “This show epitomizes the wonderful spirit of our students and
AITians. I am happy that this tradition continues,” he said.
The performers at the Welcome Show 2013 represented fifteen countries,
including: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran,
Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand,
and Vietnam.
Throughout the marathon event, student emcees Mr.
Afnoor Jamilee (Bangladesh, MBA), Ms. Kanishka Rambukwella (Sri Lanka,
Civil Engineering), Mr. Milinda Seneviratne (Sri Lanka, Electrical
Engineering), and Ms. Lauren Fong (United States, Exchange Student in
Environmental Engineering and Management) did well to keep the audience
informed, engaged, and highly entertained.
Instructional public service announcement videos produced by the
Student Union (SU) on energy conservation and emergency situation
response on campus were interesting pauses between performances.
Three winning entries from the short film competition organized by the
SU were also screened. “Inside hearts” and the runner-up “I dream of a
day”, both produced by the Pakistan Student Association, earned large
approval from the crowd. A student from Sri Lanka was awarded a prize
for designing the logo selected as best representing the theme "Share
Similarities, Celebrate Differences".
See Photo Gallery I
here.
See Photo Gallery II
here.
Ushering in the evening, and symbolizing the event theme of
international harmony nicely, was an international group dance
performed by young ladies from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, Iran,
Cambodia, Sri Lanka and India.
It required two rounds of performances in front of the judges to crown
this year’s “Mr. and Ms. AIT.” In the end, a delightful couple from Sri
Lanka took the crown, with attractive pairs from Thailand and Cambodia
the first and second runners-up.
The non-competitive traditional dance category was a welcome chance
for show-goers to witness AIT’s breathtaking cultural diversity set to
dance. From the refined elegance of Myanmar and Vietnam to the raw
slow-motion shaking and jiggling of a traditional Nigerian line-dance,
troupes from eight countries held the crowd spellbound. Stunning
sequined costumes, colorful tapestries, spins, twirls, and soft, silky,
synchronicity was the common denominator across the performances.
Non-traditional dance, however, was very competitive. Crews from
China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam danced their hearts
out to win the judges’ approval. Here, saucy sex-appeal was often
combined with urban funk and pure athleticism. In the end, the
combination of a sultry cha-cha number and a street-savvy B-boy set
tipped the balance for the Sri Lankan dancers.
In the talent show category, an artful guitar and bass solo by Sri
Lanka proved enough to win out over first runner-up Bangladesh and
second runner-up China.
Non-classical singing was perhaps the closest competition of the
night, with eight acts performing to professional level quality. From
the raspy-voiced Bhutanese duo delivering Tracy Chapman’s 1980s smash
hit “Fast Car” to India and Nepal’s fabulously cool rock acts – the
difference was razor sharp. The Bangladesh entry sang John Denver’s
“Annie’s Song”, followed by Indonesia’s lovely and romantic duet. When
the final scores were tallied, Sri Lanka bagged top spot over a
powerful solo by Myanmar’s lovely songstress and a crowd pleasing
Thailand, who both performed wonderfully.
A highlight of the evening was a memorable stage drama by Sri Lanka
that brought the house down in laughter over its bank robbery gone awry
in a fit a hijinks. Vietnam’s intriguing adaptation of ‘Cinderella’
with a twist of Thailand was a close second. Not far behind was
Thailand’s cleverly done story of a demure AIT schoolgirl girl turned
karate-kicking superhero, who is able to fend off a pack of thieves
intent on stealing her prized bicycle.
Topping off the night was an eye-pleasing fashion show of models
wearing modern designs of various countries' national dress.
Borrowing a page from the supermodels of Paris, Milan and Tokyo, AIT’s
most beautiful and handsome charged the auditorium with electricity as
they strutted down the catwalk amid a blizzard of flashbulbs and
screams of delight.
AIT alumnus and Japanese national Mr. Tsushima Ishida, who was a judge
for the evening, delivered a special solo dance performance to conclude
the performances. Other judges included Ms. Nichapat Atthajiraku,
Secretary and Thai Language Teacher, Language Center; Ms. M.L. Thanisa
Choombala, Language Specialist, Language Center; Mr. Tylor Burrows, Sr.
Language Specialist, Language Center; Mrs. Clarissa Cuarez, HR Manager,
AIT Consulting; and Mr. Shawn Kelly, Sr. Media Specialist, Media and
Communications Unit.
Thanks to the organizational efforts of Ms. Bu Saw, Chairperson,
Culture and Gender Committee, SU, and the army of volunteers from
the Student Union, the event proved to be a grand highlight on the AIT
calendar for 2013.
THE WINNERS
"Mr. and Ms. AIT 2013 "
First: Sri Lanka
Second: Thailand
Third: Cambodia
Drama
First: Sri Lanka
Second: Vietnam
Third: Thailand
Talent Show
First: Sri Lanka
Second: Bangladesh
Third: China
Singing (Competitive)
First: Sri Lanka
Second: Myanmar
Third: Thailand
Non-Traditional Dance
First: Sri Lanka
Second: Myanmar
Third: Vietnam
