The First Pre-Kaleidoscope Event

This norm of disastrously-rainy-yet-humid days normally nip even well thought-out plans in the bud, when the parties involved just raise their hands and grudgingly give in to the social-life destroyer that is the “Bombay (Mumbai, if you really must) monsoons”. Normally, feet are dragged, nae, splashed through muddy, flood-y streets and on to the luxuries of public transport only and only for the sake of hate-it-but-you-still-need-it attendance (75%? 90%?).

However, this day, dear reader, was different. July 22, 2015 (Wednesday), was the day the world witnessed the first pre-Kaleidoscope event and we must say, do not pity the dead, reader, pity the living, and above all those who could not attend this event. You think we’re exaggerating? Okay, picture this: you and your buddy; access to products from one of the trendiest trinket establishments; 20 minutes to glam one of you up; and an actual standing chance to win lust-worthy goodies from the said establishment worth a few G’s. All in all, very much an attainable fantasy for the people who attended and participated in the Accessorize and Kaleidoscope 2015 (#namastekscope #godesigobeyond) event at one of the swanky High Street Phoenix outlets that fateful afternoon.

Girly girls and not-so-girly girls alike, queuing up for their turns as pairs went into the store to “accessorize” each other standing in front of a group of people and actually allowing them to judge the pair was a win-win situation despite the gradually weakening air-conditioning due to the rising heat (and we don’t mean just the temperature). Other than the whole race-against-time-to-look-so-fine element of it, photographers snapping away at their (some successful, some not so much so) attempts was a paparazzi dream come true for the participants. Naturally, the pictures didn’t turn out so bad either (go check out more at our Instagram and Facebook page N.O.W.).

So, let’s back up a minute: A chance to glam up, no holds barred. All the accessories you could get your hands on. Show off your look and win prizes. No fee. You would think it was just a teeny bit short from perfection of an afternoon/evening. And then they went on to hand out tiny juice boxes, because dehydration. I mean, c’mon. Everyone knows free food/drinks is the best way to end a desi event, right?  

Interviews Are Here

It began with an orientation so full of adrenaline that its effects can still be felt a week later, as the campus was flooded with First Year students, ready to sell their soul to Kaleidoscope. Interviews began this week, and the turnout has been overwhelming for every single one of them. In the words of a Marketing coordinator, “Shit just got real”.

Even hours of waiting and what seems like buckets of sweat couldn’t dampen their spirits as the FYs thronged the corridors eager to show off their talents. While some prepared answers in their heads, some indulged in a little gossip about the festival itself. The EC looked on with affection as senior coordinators tried their best to grill the newcomers, who proceeded to answer every question confidently.

The Den, dressed in as much bling as is possible with 20 posters, has also come alive again, standing ready to welcome new members of the Workforce with its doors wide open. The coordinators too cannot wait to delegate some of their never ending work to their new teammates, and hopefully go for bonding sessions- a ritual most loved and yet seldom practiced.

So, to the FYs who will soon be joining the Kaleidoscope Workforce, welcome aboard, kids! And don’t forget to go urban, go desi and go beyond.

IT’S LA-MENTARY

One year ago, after being grilled (and somewhat terrorised) in our interviews, I began my journey as a coordinator for Kaleidoscope. I had no idea what lay in store for me and was thrown headfirst into the chaos we’ve come to know so well and love as Kaleidoscope. Despite the insanely long days and stressful phone calls in the middle of the night, I missed it the moment it was over. The instant the withdrawal symptoms began to ebb, however, it was time to start preparing for Kaleidoscope 2015.

Now, it’s that time of the year again and everybody’s gearing up to say Namaste to Kaleidoscope.  Team LA is just as excited as everybody; needless to say, the act of sacrificing one’s soul for the holy ‘K’ has already begun. You can tell by the number of workforce members glued to their phones and laptops!

A desi tadka makes everything better and we are trying our best to make this year even more special. So, don’t forget the water balloons! This year, LA-K will take you right back to the 90s and to the glorious phase of life known as childhood. Who doesn’t love a water balloon fight or a treasure hunt? Combine the two and you have LA-K!

JAM, one of the most popular events at Kaleidoscope, is back! It’s all about the words, yaar! We hope you’ve armed yourself with enough of them or else, you’ll be forced to pack your jholas and leave. Puns and wordplay, as you can probably guess from the title, are always appreciated. Let the battle of the wits begin! Bring along your thinking topis and your dancing kolhapuris and remember that nothing beats desi jugaad!

Along with our interesting flagship events, we have poetry writing, story writing and essay writing events. So, get ready to unleash the poet or the writer within you. Let your desi identity out and be prepared to encounter everything that makes you so unique, from your favourite Bollywood dialogues to that ridiculous jingle you simply cannot get out of your head. Hop on aboard the local train hurtling through Sophia College this September, which goes by the name of Kaleidoscope.

Teetash Singhal