IIT Madras annual cultural festival Saarang 2024 begins; over 80,000 students participate

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is celebrating the 50th annual cultural festival ‘Saarang 2024’. The five-day fest started today and will conclude on January 14. This year, over 80,000 students will participate from over 500 colleges across the country.

“Over 850 students of IIT Madras across various years and departments are working to make this edition a grand success. The theme for Saarang 2023 is ‘Mystic Hues’ which celebrates how intertwined colours are with culture and traditions,” IIT Madras director V Kamakoti said while inaugurating the festival.

Speaking at Saarang 2024 inaugural event, IIT Madras Dean (Students) Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, said: “I am pleased to invite students, participants, and the IIT community to our 50th cultural festival. The classical and folk night will debut for this golden jubilee celebration, showcasing classical music and Tamil Nadu folk arts. The newly established ‘Saarang Village showcases India's various and wonderful traditions. Over 800 students and mentors made the 50th Saarang edition a success.”

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IIT Madras advisor Prasad Patnaik BSV applauded the efforts of the students and said: “To make the event exciting for Generation Z, the entire Saarang organising team has been working above and beyond. Congratulations to the group headed by Valeti Sriraj and Jyotir Aditya Menon, our cultural secretaries.”

The institute also runs a social campaign under the banner of Saarang every year. This year, the Saarang will be running a social campaign titled ‘Urjam’ to encourage people to make conscious decisions and switch to renewable energy sources.

IIT Madras Saarang 2024: Events

IIT Madras is organising professional shows of well-established and upcoming artists.

• Day 0 of Saarang commenced with the classical night to honour the month of Marghazhi.

• Day 1 will start with the theme of choreo night where dance troupes from around the country will show their performance.

• Day 2 EDM Night will open with the DJ Holy C and the duo of Matisse and Sadko.

• Day 3 will end with Rock Night, to be graced by RJD the Band and Thaikkudam Bridge.

• Day 4, the last is the Pop Night, to be headlined by the multifaceted playback singer Farhan Akhtar.