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This photograph was taken during one of the many events organized at IIT Madras’ annual fest Saarang. Many events took place in classrooms and halls around the campus. Some events were also held outdoors, between the Open Air Theatre and the Humanities and Social Sciences Block. This event appears to have taken place at one of the classrooms. We are yet to determine which classroom was used for the event. We do not know who the persons in the photograph are. If you have any information about the individuals, please reach out to us.

Taken during IIT Madras’ annual cultural and social fest Saarang, this photograph shows a student participating in one of the many events which were organized. Through a report in The Fourth Estate, we know that there were several events, contests and competitions which took place at the fest. The contests saw participation from hundreds of college students from across the country and city. We are not sure which event was taking place when this photograph was taken, nor do we know who the participant was. If you have any information regarding this, please reach out to us.

This work of art was possibly made during one of the fun events organized at Saarang 2003. It is possible that it was made either during the T-shirt designing contest or during a poster designing contest. The artwork is apparently a reference to a mythological figure from the Hindu religion, most likely Ravana. If you have any information about this artwork, please reach out to us.

This photograph was taken during IIT Madras’ annual cultural and social fest Saarang. It is likely that the photograph was taken during one of the contests or competitions at Saarang. According to reports in The Hindu and The Fourth Estate, there were several events organized for college students from across the country. Some of these events included quizzes, music contests, designing contests and many more. We are not sure which event is taking place in the photograph. We also do not know who the person in the photograph is. If you have any information about the individual, please reach…

The writing events most often took place at different halls in the Humanities and Sciences Block (HSB) during Mardi Gras. The writing events were a few of the many informal events that took place during the cultural festival, apart from the main events such as the music competitions, debate, quiz and many others. The Informals included mono-acting, skit, choreography, speaking and writing.  

The photograph was taken outside Central Lecture Theatre where registration desks or counters, for participating in various events were positioned. Temporary tables or counters were placed for this purpose. The events during Mardi Gras ‘83, took place at several locations in the IIT Madras campus. These venues included Open Air Theatre, Humanities and Sciences Block, Shanti Kunj and several locations in between. Several halls such as the Central Lecture Theatre, Physics Lecture Theatre and Chemistry Lecture Theatre were also utilised.    The music events and performances,…

The event in the photograph, which appears to be a dance performance, can be seen taking place at the Open Air Theatre during the cultural festival. There were numerous professional shows that were organised and performed by professionals during Mardi Gras each year. By 1987, Mardi Gras started featuring classical dance as a competitive event. In the same year, Mardi Gras additionally added dimensions to the cultural festival which included a two day festival of Folk Arts (such as Terrukoothu, Yakshagana and Kavadi).  The posters on top of the stage indicate that the ‘Ananda…

A variety of events were conducted during Mardi Gras (1983), which included western music (solo and group), Indian light music, Indian classical music, quiz, music quiz, fine arts, photography, on the spot, creative writing, debate, and Informals. Apart from this, there was also a competition for the overall Mardi Gras Championship. As each event carried a certain number of points within its own category, winning the ‘Overall Mardi Gras Championship’ involved final weighted positions in all categories being added to arrive at an overall position.  

During Mardi Gras there were a number of events that took place that highlighted Indian culture, such as professional classical music performances, dance performances, Indian classical music competition, Indian light music competition and so on. By 1987, Mardi Gras started featuring classical dance as a competitive event. In the same year, Mardi Gras additionally added dimensions to the cultural festival which included a two-day festival of Folk Arts (such as Terrukoothu, Yakshagana and Kavadi). 

Many locations in the IIT Madras campus were utilised for the Mardi Gras events over the years. In 1983, some of the locations used for the events were the Open Air Theatre, Central Lecture Theatre, Shanti Kunj, other halls in the Humanities and Sciences Block, and possibly other locations in between.

The events and competitions related to music during Mardi Gras included the Indian Classical Music, Indian Light Music, Western Solo and Western Group competitions. The Western Solo competition included both vocals and instrumental categories. The Western Music Group competition was preceded by auditions after which five groups were chosen to compete, that were held prior to the competition for Madras teams and during the competition for outstation teams. In the Indian Light Music competition participants or teams were given fifteen minutes to perform with a maximum of eight participants…

A dance performance can be seen in progress at the Open Air Theatre, during the cultural festival (1983). During Mardi Gras there were a number of events that took place that highlighted Indian culture, such as professional classical music performances, dance performances, Indian classical music competition, Indian light music competition and so on. By 1987, classical dance was considered a competitive event during Mardi Gras. In the same year, Mardi Gras additionally added dimensions to the cultural festival which included a two-day festival of Folk Arts (such as Terrukoothu, Yakshagana…

Classical and folk dance performances were organised in the Open Air Theatre that attracted a large audience to the cultural festival in 1983. By 1987, Mardi Gras started featuring classical dance as a competitive event. In the same year, Mardi Gras additionally added dimensions to the cultural festival which included a two-day festival of Folk Arts (such as Terrukoothu, Yakshagana and Kavadi). 

The Fine Arts events were one of the most elaborately organised events of the festival, and were traditionally held at Shanti Kunj along with sylvan surroundings.  The art events included painting, sketching, collage, poster making, cartooning, clay modelling, pot painting and sculpture (wax modelling or soap carving). Usually two art events were conducted in a day, and the students could choose the events they wanted to participate in.  

A moment from one of the events associated with music during the cultural festival (1983) is captured through this photograph. During the Western Solo event at Mardi Gras, participants were provided with an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, an accordion, an electric organ and a drum set. For the western group event, participants were provided a ‘Tama’ drum set, Fender and Ibanez guitars and basses, keyboards and pedals for special effects. The Western Music Group event was preceded by ‘camera auditions’, in which the best five groups were chosen for the finals. The auditions were a…