Despite some technical problems, the highly anticipated annual event
organized by the AIT Student Union lived up to its billing in a vivid
celebration of AIT’s rich cultural diversity. The eight-hour marathon
of music, dance, drama, poetry and mime saw act upon act showcase their
talents on stage under the theme “Pieces of a Puzzle.”
Chief Guest Dr.
Donyaprueth Krairit, Dean of the AIT School of Management, opened the
event with words of encouragement and praise for the organizers and
student performers. “Our cultural diversity is our strength,” she said.
“When we work together we can achieve unbelievable results.” Salman Ali
Suhail, Student Union President, also welcomed show goers and thanked
the many SU volunteers who made the event possible.
Two pairs of
eloquent student emcees did a fine job of engaging the audience,
introducing the acts and entertaining. The MCs in the first half of the
show were undergraduates Ms. Phalguni Gupta, an ITC major from India,
and Mr. Sabeethan Kanagasingham, a mechatronics major from Sri Lanka.
Sharing duties in the second half of the night were undergraduates Ms.
Mazari Singh, a CIE major from Nepal, and Mr. Miliada Senevietue, a Sri
Lankan national who majors in electronics.
Volunteer judges included Dr. David Ferguson, UK,
Assistant Professor, School of Management; Mrs. Divina Anatan,
Philippines, AIT International School; Ms. Myriam Rueda, Spain, AIT
Language Center; Dr. Julaikha Hossain, Bangladesh, Senior Research
Specialist, Gender Development and Studies; Mrs. Yamamoto, Japan,
AIT Language Center; and Mr. Shawn Kelly, Canada, Head, Media and
Communications Unit.
DIM THE LIGHTS AND RAISE THE CURTAIN
Kicking off the memorable night were the children performers of the
AIT International School (AITIS) who delighted the crowd with an Indian
‘Kolata’ Dance that led into a thrilling Asian bamboo dance. The
children ended by taking over the stage and singing “We Are One” in
unison.
In the Talent Show
category, six acts representing China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
India, and Pakistan competed. A Chinese flutist’s serene notes were
followed by guitar soloists, gymnasts, and an impressive medley of
popular hits offered up by Sri Lanka’s man on guitar and harmonica. Two
young poets inspired the audience with their original words. India’s
eloquent female entry won over the edgy poet from Nepal with her
emotional homage to four years of life spent at AIT.
The highly
competitive Music and Singing category began with a bluesy, raspy,
electric guitar solo and song by Bhutan, followed by an aching solo
vocalist from Bangladesh. Nepal countered with an attractive duet who
sang “Let Her Go” in-sync. Sri Lanka captured the theme nicely with a
pair of gents singing about their enchantment with AIT’s multinational
ladies.
A female vocalist
from India then offered a memorable Hindi-language ballad to a hushed
crowd. Myanmar’s trio had the auditorium singing along with
professional-level covers of “The End of the World” and Mylie Cyrus’
“Wrecking Ball.”
Next up, Nepal
cleverly captured the mood of pressurized student life at AIT with a
rocking rendition of Queen’s “I Want to Break Free.” Sri Lanka then
soothed the mood down with a slick version of “When you say nothing at
all.”
Myanmar’s
five-member girl band was sultry and saucy with powerful covers of “Eye
of the Tiger” and “You’re Gonna Hear Me Roar.”
The ever popular
“Mr. and “Ms. AIT” portion of the night was all about stunning good
looks and raw sex appeal as the male and female models posed and
preened for the judge’s approval. The fashion models strutted down the
AIT catwalk against a frenzied, partisan crowd and a blinding blur of
paparazzi flashbulbs. In the end, the beautiful entry from India was
crowned “Ms. AIT” while a handsome young gentleman from Nepal took the
title of “Mr. AIT”.
In the competitive
drama, a large troupe from Sri Lanka faced off against the actors from
India. The young Sri Lankans set the tone with an oddly numerous,
chaotic tale of hijinks inside a mental hospital ward.
India followed with
an intricately crafted murder mystery investigated by a pair of ghosts
named “Sherlock” and “Holmes.” The dark and supernatural plot connected
a 40-year-old murder to a present-day killing orchestrated by the
spirit detective motivated by a desire for vengeance.
Competitive dance at
AIT is always an audience favorite, and on this night it did not
disappoint. Myanmar electrified the crowd with its fabulous crew who
exhibited the professional B-boy form to take top prize in the
competition. Sri Lanka’s huge troupe captured third-place by showing
off some sweeping choreography that blended a cute cowboy and cowgirl
number with a little Latin salsa later on. Nepal followed with a pair
of sensuous and, sultry couples intertwined in a romantic number. The
infectious beat of India’s Bollywood-style numbers followed and were
warmly received by the crowd who tapped their feet and swayed their
heads right alongside. India's performance was good enough for
second-place honors.
The Fusion category,
which brought together artists from different countries, was a
crowd-pleaser. Early on, Nepal and Thailand combined for raucous
rendition of Train's “Hey Soul Sister”. Later, Nepal teamed up with Sri
Lanka’s rockers to belt out the timeless Lynard Skynard rock anthem
“Freebird.”
One highlight of the
long night of performance was a compelling act by a six-member mime
troupe representing the AIT Sustainability Club who commanded attention
with their charismatic silence. In a delightfully clever skit that
would have made Marcel Marceau proud, the mimes brilliantly
communicated their message of “Save Water” without uttering a word.
In the Traditional
Dance portion of the program, which was a non-competitive category, the
exquisite cultures of Asia shone through once again. Indonesia wowed
the crowd its “Thousand Hands Dance.” Their combination of rich
costumes and bodily synchronicity was an eye-catcher.
Cambodia told the
story of the legendary Khmer Union of a Brahman named Kaundinya and a
Naga princess in a refined, classically measured and elegant interplay.
Nepal then changed pace with an upbeat, playful, slightly flirty number
which seemed underscored by fun.
The ladies of Sri
Lanka, resplendent in stunning silk saris, commanded the stage with
elegance and color, and drew a rousing ovation for their professional
aplomb and grace. (The group was halted twice mid-performance due to
technical glitches.)
The Myanmar troupe,
dressed in a kaleidoscope of various ethnic group costumes, danced to
their country’s popular song “Unity in Myanmar” and had the auditorium
clapping and singing along in time as they personified the theme
“diversity and unity”.
Vietnam’s lovely
ladies ended the night with a pleasing finale of soothing, streamlined
moves in stunning black and sequined dresses.
RESULTS OF STUDENT UNION CULTURAL SHOW JANUARY 2014
SEMESTER
| No. | Category | Winners |
| 1 | Group Music and Singing |
1. Nepal 2. Sri Lanka 3. Myanmar |
| 2 | Competitive Dance |
1. Myanmar 2. India 3. Sri Lanka |
| 3 | Drama | 1. Sri Lanka 2. India |
| 4 | Music (Duet / Solo) | 1. India 2. Sri Lanka |
| 5 | Talent Show | India |
| 6 | Mr. AIT (Fashion Show) | Nepal |
| 7 | Ms. AIT (Fashion Show) | India |
| 8 | Judges' Choice Awards |
Ms. Neha Dodeja from India for Talent Show |
A photo gallery from AIT Cultural Show 2014 is available at
this link:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152331262944709.1073741913.102952369708&type=1
