Tantalize — a Legacy at APIIT

APIIT Sri Lanka
Jul 10, 2017 · 5 min read

Our hallways are currently abuzz with activity. The committee for one of our most successful events — Tantalize — is just starting to come alive again. Tantalize is an an inter-university talent show making waves annually since 2008. Each year it brings more participation and has truly become a platform for undergraduates to showcase their talents. Naseeha Amirdeen, project chairperson of the first Tantalize shared her thoughts on this event and the amazing experience of organising it.

It was all new faces and a new experience the first day we stepped into APIIT in 2007 to commence the next phase of our academic life. Little did we know at this point that we will be making lifelong friendships and APIIT will become our second home. The first year was mostly about studies and I believe all of us did quite well. We as a batch became very close friends. We studied together, took part in sports and other non-academic activities and cheered each other on, shared our food during lunch and celebrated many good times.

During our second year we realised that we as a batch could make a difference at APIIT. Since I was the General Secretary of the Student Activity Club(SAC) at this point, I was dreaming of getting my batch mates (DF0711BA) to organise a project. My heart always said, a Talent Show for charity would be ideal as it was the first of its kind during that time. The very next day, during a break I put my idea across to my classmates and their reactions were mind blowing!! The majority were excited and willing to take part with enthusiasm.

We thought the major hurdle would be to present the idea to the SAC committee and patron; However, they embraced the idea faster than we expected and then began the challenge; the challenge to form a committee, the challenge to streamline our ideas and views, the challenge to comply with deadlines and most importantly the challenge to work as a team. Naming our project didn’t happen overnight. We had to brainstorm quite a bit and it was Prabath’s bright idea to name the project, “Tantalize- The Unequivocal Reminiscences”. The event outline/categories, theme & logo, selecting guest performances, deciding on awards & gifts followed, with much debate and and deliberation.

Our colleague Dulanjan, who is generally a quiet individual in class gave us the next best idea — to make this project open to other universities. This took Tantalize to the next level; We were now aiming for an inter-university competition. However, since it was the first time, we decided to open out only the Band Category to the other universities.

We were working in teams for Entertainment (lead by Prabath, Ijaz, DhanushkaX2 ,Chamara), PR & Finance (lead by Nuwanthi, Imran & Saad) and Decorations (lead by Michelle, Yashoda and Sajini). Sashini & Dibendran were the project secretaries structuring all our documentation & communication. The treasurer for Tantalize was Imeshi Cooray, who was a pillar of sensibility and managed all expenses within budget.

APIIT CEO Dr Pitigala-Arachchi, lecturers, staff, and patron of the SAC, Ms Zeenath Hidaya were our guiding stars. Without their direction, involvement and financial support we wouldn’t have maintained the standards of the inaugural Tantalize. SAC President Jehan Adahan & his committee worked with us as one team. Our parents were very understanding and supportive as they knew the effort we were putting into the project.

Video Credits: Kaushalya Charamara Wickramarachchi

We had a very successful round of auditions, for the categories, Singing — Solo, Dancing — Solo and Group, Bands — Oriental and Western, and Instrumental — Acoustic and Non Acoustic. The best were handpicked by our panel of judges to perform at the history making talent show on the 4th of April 2008 at the Bishops College Auditorium. That night we witnessed the audience stamp their feet and rock to the beat shouting ‘Encore’. The exhilaration felt, seeing our event succeed is indescribable. The video witnessed above along with the entire footage of the event was done under significant budgetary constraints by Charmara and his team. We are ever so grateful to be able to watch the footage 9 years down the line and recreate all the wonderful memories of Tantalize 2008.

The highlight and the most heartwarming moment of this project was when funds were donated to the Thalassaemia Ward of the Kurunegala Hospital. The gift of giving, is indeed one of the most rewarding experiences one could have and we were humbled that we could make a difference to the lives of many.

Organizing Tantalize wasn’t an easy task. But this project brought the APIIT student body closer together. Students were choreographing, practising and rehearsing to showcase their talents. APIIT supported the project, encouraging the balance between academic & non-academic activities. It was not always a bright day; we had our disagreements, some plans were delayed, there was a shortage of funds; at times there was too much pressure and finding time was a challenge. The experience has certainly boosted my multitasking abilities. Indeed, Tantalize was a real life lesson in patience, adhering to timelines, mutual respect and listening to others’ perspectives and negotiation skills. Importantly Tantalize has made me mature in terms of managing and leading a large team — skills essential in the corporate world.

We were very happy when the project was repeated the next year, the year after and for many years since. We feel a sense of accomplishment and are proud of the achievement and legacy we left at APIIT 9 years ago. We have graduated with flying colours and are living the life we dreamt of, gainfully employed in the corporate sector. But, we still cherish memories created during Tantalize which has truly become the Unequivocal Reminiscences.

RESPECT AND GRATITUDE TO ALL INVOLVED IN MAKING TANTALIZE 2008 a LEGACY!

APIIT Sri Lanka

The APIIT Blog

APIIT Sri Lanka

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The largest foreign degree provider in Sri Lanka

APIIT Sri Lanka

The APIIT Blog

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