Go Green. That's the theme the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Chennai, has chosen this year for its three-day inter-college fest ‘Spectrum ‘11' that began on Wednesday.
Old CDs, plastic bottles, polythene bags, used papers and other ‘decorative' items have been put together to give a green backdrop for events taking place at the inner courtyard of the campus in Taramani, while the other corridors are more or less decorated with used materials in keeping with the theme. A navy blue T-shirt with ‘NIFT Nature / Never out of style' printed on one side and designed by a student is what everyone was wearing on day one.
A cycle rally from the Institute to Elliots beach opened the events of Spectrum; this again sent across a green message to use eco-friendly modes of transport. The campus was buzzing with inter and intra-college events to showcase the creativity of students.
‘Poster war', for instance, required teams to put up posters that caught every passers-by's attention.
Third-year students of accessory design morphed the photographs of their classmates to fit on different cartoon characters such as Kung Fu Panda and Uncle Scrooge. Another team displayed cut-outs of sleepy faces.
‘Hues on canvas,' a painting exhibition, was a platform to showcase talents students had outside the regular curriculum. “Fine Arts is the basis for anything and although it is not part of our curriculum, it is very much essential,” said Amrit Kumar, student of Fashion and Lifestyle.
Indian and western dance competition ‘Feat on the beat' was one of the highlights and students from quite a number of city colleges participated in it.
Chief guest and Director of Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development P. Michael Vetha Siromony said students should be assessed not only on their marks but also on the innate talents they showcase and their character. He said that life skills are essential part of life, and asked students to ask questions.
S. Devadoss, Director, NIFT, said the cultural fest is also conducted at the other NIFT centres in February. He said when fashion education started in the 80s, there was scepticism but it has now come of age.
