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Decibels 2005 is visible in the background of this photograph as Prof. V. G. Idichandy shakes the hand of a person as he presents a memento or prize. Prof. V. G. Idichandy has been Dean of Students, and Deputy Director at IIT Madras; he has also been Chairman – JEE and has held posts as a professor. T he event in the photograph  took place on the stage at the Open Air Theatre (OAT) which is where events with a large audience, especially live shows, were held during Saarang. In the photograph, the edge of the banner is partially visible, showing Nokia’s tagline “Connecting People.”…

This photograph is a close-up shot of a drummer. It was possibly taken during Decibels. Decibels is a Western music band competition held for bands across India; and according to articles, the winning band receives an opportunity to open the Rock Show. In 2005, Saarang was held from 21 to 26 January, complete with events and competitions for college students like Sports Quiz, Business Quiz, Debate, Antakshari, Light Music, Western Music, etc. Professional live shows were also held in the Open Air Theatre (OAT).

Mrs. Nirmala Medhi and Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras) were the chief guests for the Fourth Institute Day. Trophies and prizes were distributed for academic and extra-curricular achievements to students, staff and faculty of the Institute. We know from the annual report of IIT Madras for 1962-1963 that twelve prizes were given to winners of literary competitions conducted during the year.   The student receiving the prize is yet to be identified.

According to the 15 April 1963 edition of Campastimes, the Registrar Mr. R. Natarajan presented “an absolutely delightful annual report” ‘Keys of Kingdom’.  Seen on the dais from left, Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras and chief guest), Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman of the Board of Governors), Prof. B. Sengupto (Director), and Prof. N. Klein (Humanities Department).

This photograph was taken during the Fourth Institute Day of IIT Madras. Institute Days were held towards the end of the academic year and consisted of cultural programmes, speeches and a prize distribution ceremony. Students, staff and faculty who contributed to the Institute in various ways were given prizes for their work. Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras and chief guest, extreme right) and Mr. Srinivasan (Physical Training Instructor, second from left) are also in the photograph. Mr. and Mrs. Medhi were invited as chief guests for the event. We can also observe a table in the…

This photograph was taken during the Fourth Institute Day of IIT Madras. It shows the chief guests Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (second from right) and Mrs. Nirmala Medhi (extreme right) being received at the Institute by Prof. B. Sengupto (Director of IIT Madras, left). This was not the first time that Mr. Bishnuram Medhi visited the institute. He had earlier visited during the inauguration of IIT Madras in 1959 as well. This has been documented in the First Institute Day Number of 1960. The inauguration of IIT Madras was held most likely at A. C. Tech. or CLRI. 

This photograph was taken during IIT Madras’ Fourth Institute Day. The guests and visitors were possibly welcomed at the Bose-Einstein Guest House before being escorted to the main function at the Open Air Theatre (OAT). The dark circular pillars of the building indicate that this photograph was taken outside the Bose-Einstein Guest House. From the left, Prof. B. Sengupto (Director), Mrs. Shanti Sengupto, Mrs. Y. S. Ramaswamy (wife of the Superintending Engineer), a lady who is yet to be identified and Mrs. Kraus (wife of Prof. R. A. Kraus).

This photograph was taken during the Fourth Institute Day of IIT Madras. The dark circular pillars confirm that this photograph was taken at the Bose-Einstein Guest House. From left, Prof. Guenter Stahl (Mechanical Engineering Department), a gentleman (yet to be identified), Prof. R. A. Kraus (coordinator of the Indo-German Aid Program) and Mrs. Kraus.

Prof. Bibhutibhushan Sengupto was the first Director of IIT Madras. He played a pivotal role in the rapid growth that took place during the initial years of the Institute. Most of his earlier education took place in East Bengal and Calcutta. He studied at the Benaras Hindu University which was one of the leading universities at that time, known for its engineering education. He then went to Manchester, England for further education. Prof. B. Sengupto was selected to be founder Director of IIT Madras in 1958, and he joined IIT Madras in 1959. Prior to joining IIT Madras, Prof. Sengupto was the…

In this play, Mr. K. S. Krishnamurthy (Electrical Engineering Department, 1961) played the role of the scientist and Mr. Sriram (department and year yet to be determined) was the former’s assistant. Mr. C. V. Sahasranamam (Mechanical Engineering Department, 1960) played the part of the lady character and Mr. S. M. Krishnan (Mechanical Engineering Department, 1961-66) was the hero. (Identification by Mr. K. Narayanan, Electrical Engineering Department, 1963-66).  According to the 15 April 1963 edition of Campastimes, the entertainment programme consisted of a German sketch, an English…

Mr. Bishnuram Medhi was the fifth Governor of Madras State. He was Governor from 1958 until 1964. Mr. Medhi and his wife were the chief guests for the Fourth Institute Day at IIT Madras. Institute Days were held toward the end of the academic year. The Annual Report of IIT Madras, 1963-1964 notes that the Governor’s Prize, awarded at Convocations was endowed by Mr. Medhi. The prize was awarded to the best all-round student from the B. Tech. degree course.

Taken during the prize distribution ceremony at the Fourth Institute Day, this photograph shows the Director’s wife Mrs. Sengupto presenting a trophy to a person. Trophies and prizes were distributed for academic and extra-curricular achievements to students, staff and faculty of the Institute. We know from the annual report of IIT Madras for 1962-1963 that twelve prizes were given to winners of literary competitions conducted during the year.    Prof. D. Venkateswarlu (Gymkhana President, Head of Chemical Engineering Department, far right) can be seen in the background. The…

This photograph was taken during the Fourth Institute Day at IIT Madras. The location of the photograph has been confirmed as the Bose-Einstein Guest House based on the fact the window grills match with that of the Guest House lobby even today (October 2022). From the right, Mr. Gerhard Fischer, (Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany). Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors) and Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras and chief guest).

Mrs. Nirmala Medhi and Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras) were the chief guests for the Fourth Institute Day. Trophies and prizes were distributed for academic and extra-curricular achievements to students, staff and faculty of the Institute. We know from the annual report of IIT Madras for 1962-1963 that twelve prizes were given to winners of literary competitions conducted during the year.   The student in the photograph is yet to be identified.

In this play, Mr. K. S. Krishnamurthy (Electrical Engineering Department, 1961) played the part of the scientist and Mr. Sriram played the role of his assistant. Mr. C. V. Sahasranamam (Mechanical Engineering Department, 1960) played the lady character and Mr. S. M. Krishnan (Mechanical Engineering Department, 1961-66) was the hero. (Identified by Mr. K. Narayanan, Electrical Engineering Department, 1963-66). According to the 15 April 1963 edition of Campastimes, the entertainment programme consisted of a German sketch, an English drama, a Tamil play and a Malayalam shadow-play. According…