Glimpses of an Eventful March 2025 at Ashoka University

From soulful performances to food-filled fiestas and spirited competitions, March was a month that truly captured the pulse of Ashoka. The campus brimmed with creativity, community spirit, and celebration as students, staff, and faculty came together to make memories that would last long after the month had passed. Here’s a look at some of the standout events that made March 2025 one for the books.

Dorm Olympics: Where Fun Becomes Serious Business!

University life can sometimes be overwhelming with deadlines piling up, assignments demanding attention, and the pressure of deciding majors looming over students. Amidst all this academic rigour, there comes a moment of pure joy and unfiltered fun – the Dorm Olympics, an annual tradition organised by the Ashoka University Resident Assistant (AURA) Team.

Dorm Olympics displays the University’s spirit of community, competition, and camaraderie with events including various challenges and activities, ranging from indoor games like board games and bracelet-making to outdoor competitions like doughnut-eating challenges, golgappa-eating contests, slow cycling races, and more. The tagline, ‘Fun is a Serious Business’, was embodied in every corner of the event. Laughter echoed across the venue as participants cheered, competed, and momentarily forgot about the weight of academic stress. The entire campus transformed into a festival of colours, joy, and celebration. As the event came to a close, a sense of fulfilment was evident, not just for the participants but for the AURA team as well. Seeing smiles, hearing laughter, and witnessing the joy they had created made every sleepless night worth it. Indeed, fun is a serious business!

Grub Fest 2025: An Evening of Food, Music, and Unforgettable Memories

Ashoka University’s much-awaited Grub Fest 2025 was nothing short of spectacular. Hosted by the Ashoka Dining team on March 19, the event transformed the Mess Lawns into a vibrant celebration of flavours, music, and togetherness. As students walked in, the air buzzed with excitement, the aroma of delicious food filled the space, and the sound of music set the perfect tone for an unforgettable night. The evening kicked off with an enhanced dinner buffet that delighted every palate. Carefully curated for the occasion, the spread featured a mix of classic favourites and innovative dishes, ensuring a fantastic experience for all. The dining team truly put up an extraordinary show, crafting a feast that brought students together over shared laughter and full plates.

Kalakriti: A Celebration of Art, Expression, and Collaboration at Ashoka

Ashoka University witnessed a mesmerising evening of art, dance, and music as ‘Kalakriti’, a Blackbox production in collaboration with ‘Abhinaya’ (the dance society) and ‘Alankar’ (the music society), took centre stage. The event, a tribute to the artistic process, unfolded in five powerful vignettes, each exploring different facets of performance and creativity. Kalakriti was not just a showcase of talent but a deep reflection on the joy of artistic expression and the freedom that comes with it. The audience was given a rare glimpse into the backstage world, where nervous anticipation, hurried last-minute rehearsals, and bursts of laughter created a vibrant energy before the curtains even rose. Kalakriti was more than a showcase, it was a celebration of creativity, the joy of making mistakes, and the magic that happens when art, music, and movement come together.

Ashoka Students Recreate the Iconic ‘Inder Sabha’ Play

The Black Box at Ashoka University came alive on 26th March with music, dance, and theatrical brilliance as students staged a spellbinding performance titled ‘Inder Sabha’. Organised by the Ashoka Parents Office, Ashoka Performing Arts, and Ashoka Visual Arts, this special production was a tribute to Ashoka’s decade-long journey and a heartfelt gift to its parent community. The play, originally written in 1851 by Lucknow poet Amanat, was reimagined with music specially composed by the renowned Shubha Mudgal and Aneesh Pradhan. The performance brought to life the timeless tale of ‘Inder Sabha’, a spectacular courtly drama set in the celestial world of King Indra. The narrative, steeped in poetic grandeur, explores themes of love, devotion, and divine justice, featuring an enchanting mix of classical Hindustani music, rhythmic dance sequences, and theatrical storytelling. The Ashoka UG students, serving as musicians, dancers, and actors, embraced their roles with remarkable finesse, drawing the audience into the opulent world of Amanat’s imagination.

Neev Haat: A Celebration of Local Businesses and Community Spirit

On the evening of March 27, Neev Haat brought the vibrant culture of Asawarpur village right to Ashoka’s doorstep. Organised by Team Neev, the event celebrated local entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, and the power of community. Small business owners, located just a few meters from campus in Asawarpur, along with Ashoka students showcased their unique products, from homemade snacks and hand-painted shirts to traditional clay vessels and handmade ‘Lakeer’ pouches. The lively atmosphere was filled with the aroma of delicious snacks like momos, ‘gol gappe’, and ‘pakode’, while activities like pottery and henna art added to the experience. Neev Haat was more than just a market. The event strengthened bonds within the community and highlighted the importance of supporting local talent.

As the month drew to a close, the lingering buzz of these events reminded everyone of what makes Ashoka truly special – its vibrant community, diverse talents, and the shared joy of coming together. March may be over, but the memories created, the bonds strengthened, and the creative sparks ignited will continue to shape the months ahead.

– Written by Chanda Kumari (ASP’25)