'KASHI YATRA'

'Kashi Yatra', originally meaning "pilgrimage to Kashi", is also the name chosen for the cultural festival of our college, IIT(BHU) Varanasi. But, despite it's meaning, it's far from being any kind of 'pilgrimage'! Its a youthful and fun-filled event with competitions in art, literature and theatre; and it also involves dance, music and an electrifying fashion show!...

To give a short description of the events, 'Kashi Yatra' includes 'Toolika' (an art competition). Toolika comprises of 'pot painting', 'T-shirt painting', 'tattooing', 'face painting', 'sketching' and other such events. Its a great opportunity for artists to show off their skill and finesse. Then there are the 'plays', in which fine actors participate, displaying their fantastic theatrical skills. The fest also includes 'Samvaad' (debate, extempore, quizzes and other literary events), 'Kavi Sammelan' (the poets' get together), 'Crosswindz' (the rock concert), 'Bandish' (the singing competition) and 'Natraj' (the dance competition), where dancers put up an awe-inspiring performance every year! There are other major events too, but to give every detail, would take a considerably greater amount of time and effort.

But the thing which is the most awaited and looked forward to, each year, is the fashion show 'Mirage', which gives us the opportunity to look at regular college students in a whole new light, if you know what I mean to say! I must admit that the guys are mostly interested in the gals, who look like sizzling hotties, dressed in high voltage Indian and Western outfits! The professionalism showed by the Mirage teams is amazing, in that they can transform anyone, with the right attitude and average looks, into a gorgeous looking star!

On the last day of the fest, every year, a 'music guru' is invited, in an event called 'Antarnaad', who can enthrall us with his voice and mark the end of Kashi Yatra, with a high-sounding bang. All in all, Kashi Yatra presents us with a very high platform to hone our talents to such an extent, which can sometimes even surprise us ourselves. This year, I participated in the Quiz Competition and in Creative Writing, whose results are still awaited. The turnout increases each year and the number of people participating has increased exponentially in the past few years.

I hope that this national level cultural fest keeps on getting such a positive response in the coming years too, and the increasing number of sponsors, and the reputation of 'Kashi Yatra', can one day, transcend it to an international event! So, until the next KY guys:-

KASHI YATRA ROCKS!!!...