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The ESA Bash: A Night to Remember!

 

Dazzling lights. Stunning dresses and suits. Good food. Good music. And last but not least, a good time. These are the things that make up the ESA Bash, the most awaited and the most glamorous event of the Department of English, University of Kelaniya. The ESA Bash, which is annually organized, is yet another fine product of the English Students’ Association of the English Department. Hosted typically in the university premises with the participation of the staff, lecturers and the students of the department, it is a night where everyone enjoys themselves without a doubt.

Interestingly, the ESA Bash is not just any event; like everything else we do at the department, it has got a meaningful purpose behind its existence. Thus, the crux of the ESA Bash constitutes of two purposes. The first reason is to give the freshers of the department a warm welcome. Being a fresher is an intimidating experience where everything is an unfamiliar and a new experience. Hence, this event is organised with the aim of helping the freshers overcome that sense of unfamiliarity and to replace that with a sense of amity. In addition, it is an amazing opportunity for them to get to know the fellow students of the department, and in turn, create a bond with them. Moreover, this is also the perfect time to interact with their lecturers and seniors outside an intense, academic context. The second reason to host the ESA Bash is to bid adieu for the final year students by the students of other batches and the lecturers of the department. They are showered with gifts and tokens of appreciations which are traditionally handed out by the lecturers. Thus, making their final exit from the department as an undergraduate a memorable one.

Typically, the event begins with the welcome speech delivered by the head of the department, which is then proceeded by the speech delivered by the President of the English Students’ Association. This will be followed by the handing over of tokens of appreciation to the going-down batch. Afterwards, the evening will ignite with the most awaited event of the night, the games! This whimsical session usually ends with everyone in stiches and out of breath from all the amusement and laughter. Music works on par with photography; as young ladies and gents gather their friends to capture glimpses of the beautiful night into a photograph, the lecturers and the rest of the students dance to the beats of the DJ. One, of course, cannot forget the delicious food and refreshments, which adds the final touch of splendour to the night.  

Behind the curtains, the ESA Bash is a collective effort of the three batches that work in unison to make this event a success. Each year, the board members of the committee decides on a theme that will determine aspects such as the dress-code, type of decorations, photo-booth and refreshments; wherein which, each aspect of the event is managed by each batch. The event could not be one of great exuberance without the tedious efforts of the students and lecturers. Their tremendous effort and participation makes this event a night to remember. Finally, the Bash is an event that brings together all four batches and the lecturers. It is the perfect opportunity to unwind and take a break from the intense, formal, everyday academic atmosphere, and dive right into an extremely 'chill’, informal one filled with entertainment. It’s not every day one gets to see their lecturers, seniors and fellow batch-mates busting some groovy moves!

By Sanduni Wijesiriwardana.

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