This year, Saarang 2014, IIT-Madras’s cultural festival, will host a unique ‘World Fest’ which will present food festivals, concerts, film exhibitions and photo galleries from over six countries.
The five-day festival that begins on January 8 will also have special shows by violinists Ganesh–Kumaresh, dancer Sonal Mansingh, music composers Salim-Sulaiman and singer Benny Dayal. A rock show will feature the Architects, a metal core band from the UK.
The event, said student organisers, will present artistes from Singapore, France, Germany, Spain and Ireland among others. The event will be a melange of cultural influences, especially of music, and will have free entry, an organiser said.
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Apart from music and dance events, the cultural fest will have debates, quizzes, elocution competitions, dramatics and mono-acting events. Personalities such as Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Manu Jospeh, Mahesh Dattani and Leela Samson will present lectures and demonstrations.
L.S. Ganesh, dean (students), IIT-Madras said the festival will have something for everyone. “Saarang has come a long way in the last 20 years. It has always been held in the month of January because the weather in Chennai is very pleasant then. This time, it starts as the city’s music season comes to an end.”
Prof. Ganesh also said the institute was aware of the rising footfalls at the event, and would make sure the greenery of the campus is not affected.
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