Saarang

In the early 1970s, a "cultural week" festival was held.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/21/stories/2009012158160200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123170052/http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/21/stories/2009012158160200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 January 2009|title=Mardi Gras was a highlight of Chennai's cultural scene|access-date=15 December 2010 | location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|date=21 January 2009}}

The fest was formally started in 1974-75 as Mardi Gras, the focus of the festival being to promote interest in cultural and literary activities and to develop the organizational skills of the students.{{cite web|url=http://chennai.metblogs.com/2007/01/29/mardi-gras-aka-saarang-2007/|title=Mardi Gras aka Saarang|access-date=15 December 2010}} The event was renamed to 'Saarang' in 1996 to give it a more 'Indian' theme. Commercial sponsorships for the event increased significantly in the late 90s.

File:Choreo Classical.jpg

File:Kiran Bedi, Lec Dems.jpg

Saarang has observed a wide range of personalities present lectures and conduct demonstrations during the event and as a part of Pre-Saarang activities. "Spotlight", a concept in the previous editions of Saarang was a platform for famous and notable persons from various fields to address the audience and hold interactive sessions with them. Past speakers featured in Saarang include Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Kamal Hassan, Shriya Saran, Manu Joseph, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Mahesh Dattani, Leela Samson, Leander Paes, Kiran Bedi, Anita Rathnam, Ira Trivedi and R. Balakrishnan.

File:Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Lec Dems.jpg

Competitive events are held throughout Saarang and registration begins in December through their website. There are events in every field of art, dance and music, apart from literary events and group events like Scavenger Hunt. There are also informal stalls set up every day for spectators to participate in many small events.

File:Choreo IIT.jpg

The World Fest, previously known as "World Culture Show" (WCS), at Saarang is a platform to showcase culture and talent from around the world and hosts artists from various countries across the world. There have been many such performances at Saarang, in many kinds of music, like Irish folk, contemporary music, alternative rock, hip-hop and acoustic music. In the past, World Fest had introduced artists into Chennai's cultural scene through the contributions of Goethe-Institute/Max Mueller Bhavan, Alliance Française de Madras, the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Embassy of Israel, and the US Consulate in Chennai, among other international organizations, in support of their respective artistes.

File:Abaji, WCS.jpg

At The Rock Show of Saarang, musicians of international bands of rock, alternative rock, metal and fusion have performed.

• 2003: Brahma (Headlining){{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/01/29/stories/2003012900360400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704205621/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/01/29/stories/2003012900360400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 July 2003 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Celebrating team work | date=29 January 2003}}
• 2004: Motherjane (Headlining),{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/01/08/stories/2004010800370300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040122051708/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/01/08/stories/2004010800370300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 January 2004 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Campus confluence | date=8 January 2004}}
• 2005: Orange Street (Headlining) Moksha (in 2005),{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/24/stories/2005012404360600.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204122600/http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/24/stories/2005012404360600.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 February 2005 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Saarang continues to rock Chennai | date=24 January 2005}}
• 2006: Led Zepplica (Headlining), Parikrama{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/31/stories/2006013114910400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822183125/http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/31/stories/2006013114910400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 August 2006 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=IIT officials pull plug on rock show | date=31 January 2006}}
• 2007: Merzhin (Headlining), Mynta, Junkyard Groove{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/22/stories/2007012218410200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022034400/http://hindu.com/2007/01/22/stories/2007012218410200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 October 2007 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Saarang set to roll on January 25 | date=22 January 2007}}
• 2008: Firebrands, Prestorika (in 2008){{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/14/stories/2008011457980200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117173602/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/14/stories/2008011457980200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=17 January 2008 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Yet another exciting edition of 'Saarang' | date=14 January 2008}}
• 2009: Opeth (Headlining){{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/18/stories/2009011856061100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123224119/http://hindu.com/2009/01/18/stories/2009011856061100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=23 January 2009 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Schedule for Saarang, IIT's mega fest | date=18 January 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://headbangers.in/news/latest-news/iit-saarang-2009-opeth-chennai/ |title=Gig Review: IIT Saarang 2009: Opeth (Chennai) : Headbangers India |website=headbangers.in |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123223327/http://headbangers.in/news/latest-news/iit-saarang-2009-opeth-chennai/ |archive-date=23 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}
• 2010: HammerFall (Headlining) and Hurricane Bells{{Cite web|url=http://unseenunderground.blogspot.com/2010/01/skid-row-skid-row-is-one-of-pioneer.html|title=UNSEEN UNDERGROUND: saarang 2010|date=January 18, 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://indianrockmp3.com/2010/01/04/hammerfall-to-headline-saarang-2010/ |title=Hammerfall to Headline SAARANG 2010 | INDIAN ROCK MP3 |website=indianrockmp3.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106161741/http://indianrockmp3.com/2010/01/04/hammerfall-to-headline-saarang-2010/ |archive-date=6 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}
• 2011: Pain of Salvation (Headlining),{{cite web |url=http://headbangers.in/tag/saarang-pre-show/ |title=Saarang Pre Show | Headbangers India |website=headbangers.in |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110194606/http://headbangers.in/tag/saarang-pre-show/ |archive-date=10 November 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://headbangers.in/news/latest-news/pain-of-salvation-pre-show-night/ |title=Pain of Salvation Pre-show night | Headbangers India |website=headbangers.in |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110110846/http://headbangers.in/news/latest-news/pain-of-salvation-pre-show-night/ |archive-date=10 November 2011 |url-status=dead}}
• 2012: Vildhjarta (Headlining)
• 2013: Anathema (Headlining), Bevar Sea, Heretic
• 2014: Architects (Headlining), Grimus{{cite magazine|url = http://rollingstoneindia.com/architects-to-headline-iit-madras-saarang-rock-show-2014/ | title = Architects To Headline IIT Madras Saarang Rock Show 2014 | magazine = Rolling Stone | publisher = Wenner Media LLC | date = 22 September 2013 | access-date = 1 November 2013}}{{cite web|url = http://indianmusicmug.com/news/architects-saarang-2014s-headlining-act/ | title = ARCHITECTS – Saarang 2014′s headlining act | work = Indian Music Mug | date = 1 January 2014| access-date = 8 January 2014}}
• 2015: Karnivool(Headlining) preceded by Paradigm Shift.
• 2016: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
• 2017: Katatonia (Headliner), preceded Thaikkudam Bridge
• 2018: Veil Of Maya
• 2019: Parikrama (band), preceded by Local Train
• 2020: Motherjane, preceded by When Chai Met Toast
• 2022: Corner Cafe Chronicles
• 2023: Pineapple Express, preceded by Girish and the Chronicles
• 2024: Thaikkudam Bridge, preceded by RJD the Band
• 2025 will have Antarkish, preceded by Mysore Xpress

EDM Night is initiated in 2013. Brands like Sunburn and VH1 Supersonic have featured as its organizing partners. The line-up has featured popular artists in electronic dance music as well as a few international artists.

• 2013 - Sunburn Campus with DJ (S)haan and Dualist Inquiry.
• 2014 - Sunburn Campus with Dualist Inquiry, Nucleya, Anish Sood and Lost Stories.
• 2015 - VH1 Supersonic Campus with Thermal Projekt, Progressive Brothers and Nucleya.
• 2016 - DJs from Mars as international headliners. Sicklead, Aceaxe and Candice Redding as supporting acts.
• 2017 - Marnik as International headliner, Aceaxe & Sartek as Supporting Act
• 2018 - AronChupa as International headliner, Nina Suerte as Supporting Act
• 2019 - Maddix (DJ) as International headliner, Adrima as Supporting Act
• 2020 - DubVision as International headliner, Olly Esse as Supporting Act
• 2023 - Kaaze as International headliner, Krispie as Supporting Act
• 2024 - Matisse & Sadko as International headliner, Holy C as Supporting Act
• 2025 will have Ritviz as the headliner and Frozt as Supporting Act

File:Classical Night.jpg

Every year Saarang starts with "Classical night" in the Open Air Theatre of IIT Madras. Reputed performers of Indian classical music and dance forms inaugurate Saarang at this professional show. M. Balamuralikrishna, Daksha Seth Dance Academy represented by Isha Sarvani,{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/16/stories/2010011650840200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112232531/http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/16/stories/2010011650840200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 November 2010 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=American band to feature in Saarang | date=16 January 2010}} Mallika Sarabhai and troupe, Anil Srinivasan, Sikkil Gurucharan, Navin Iyer, Ganesh Kumaresh, S. Sowmya, B.S. Purushothaman, Sonal Mansingh, Aruna Sairam, Shobana{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/01/13/stories/2009011350050100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125020109/http://hindu.com/mp/2009/01/13/stories/2009011350050100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=25 January 2009 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Saarang is back | date=13 January 2009}} have performed in the previous editions of Saarang.

File:SalimSuleiman.jpg

Popular Night is hosted at the Open-Air Theatre of IIT Madras. It features live performances by members of the Kollywood and Bollywood music industry. Popular Night has featured artists like Devi Sri Prasad and Vishal& Shekhar (in the year 2012), Krishnakumar Kunnath, (in the year 2011),{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article1137314.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=Sudhish | last=Kamath | title=Living every 'pal' | date=30 January 2011}} the musical trio Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy(in 2010){{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article94536.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Headbangers' night out | date=25 January 2010}}

{{Cite web|url=https://getahead.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/15/iycu-iit-madras-cultural-fest-saarang-2010.htm|title=IIT Madras revs up for Saarang 2010|website=Rediff}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/photostory/5483467.cms |work=The Times Of India |title=Indiatimes: India News, Business, Movies, Cricket, Shopping, more |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524144139/http://www.indiatimes.com/photostory/5483467.cms |archive-date=May 24, 2010 }}

{{cite web |url=http://noise.split-magazine.com/post/334265114/iit-madras-we-skid-you-not |title=Noise | Split Magazine — IIT Madras: We Skid You Not |access-date=2011-12-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426025450/http://noise.split-magazine.com/post/334265114/iit-madras-we-skid-you-not |archive-date=2012-04-26 }}

Sonu Nigam(in 2009),{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Theatre-fest-new-element-in-IIT-M/articleshow/4009041.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109122019/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-01-21/chennai/28053693_1_theatre-fest-cultural-fest-saarang | url-status=live | archive-date=9 November 2013 | work=The Times of India | title=Theatre fest new element in IIT-M | date=21 January 2009}} Lucky Ali and Karthik (in 2008),{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/edu/2008/01/21/stories/2008012151210200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122115519/http://www.hindu.com/edu/2008/01/21/stories/2008012151210200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 January 2008 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=More is definitely better at SAARANG | date=21 January 2008}}{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/01/22/stories/2008012250160100.htm | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906110337/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/01/22/stories/2008012250160100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=6 September 2012 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Brand Saarang gets better | date=22 January 2008}} Sukhwinder Singh (in 2007), Shaan (in 2004).,{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/01/29/stories/2003012900360400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050216091845/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/01/29/stories/2003012900360400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=16 February 2005 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Celebrating team work | date=29 January 2003}} Salim-Sulaiman, Benny Dayal (2019) and Shankar Mahadevan (2020).

File:Eunoia, 1.jpg

File:Terry Fox Run 2014.jpg

Each year Saarang gives back to society in the form of initiatives taken as part of social campaigns. Saarang's past social campaigns have centered around community welfare in the form of water conservation, education, mental health, and health and hygiene awareness.

Inspired by the Greek goddess of universal wellbeing, Panacea was the health and hygiene social campaign of Saarang 2023. The five major spheres under the campaign included, personal well-being, environmental hygiene, public health awareness, sanitation and sexual health. Initiatives such informative presentations, cyclathons, case competitions, educational text-based games, podcasts, and breast awareness campaigns, were used to spread awareness about keeping clean and healthy.

The years 2021 and 2022 hosted the social campaigns, Mann and its successor, Mann 2.0. Mann aimed to destigmatize the topic of mental health by bringing conversations on the topic to the forefront. Saarang collaborated with the MINDS foundation to conduct webinars for school children to encourage positive discussion normalizing the existence of mental illnesses and the need to provide professional help and support to those in need. With Mann Conversations, interactive conversations were held with mental health professionals and an educated perspective on the topic was streamed for thousands to see. The Mann website has multiple published articles about mental health issues, interactive quizzes on the topic and resources of mental health helplines, thereby acting as a steady source of support and guidance to those seeking mental help.

Saarang has been sponsored {{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article1097456.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=Sudhish | last=Kamath | title=Better than before | date=17 January 2011}} by various established corporations. The main sponsor of Saarang for many years has been MRF Limited.MRF (company){{Circular reference|date=May 2017}} Some of the other companies that have been sponsoring various events of Saarang are Max, Vodafone Essar,{{Cite web|url=http://origin-www.sify.com/finance/vodafone-connects-with-iits-saarang-fest-news-reports-jegm0vegehg.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219015735/http://origin-www.sify.com/finance/vodafone-connects-with-iits-saarang-fest-news-reports-jegm0vegehg.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-02-19|title=Vodafone connects with IIT's Saarang fest|website=Sify}} Bharti Airtel,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-brandline/When-brands-go-to-college-.../article20234004.ece|title=When brands go to college ...|website=@businessline|date=22 March 2006 }} Nokia,{{Cite web|url=https://www.eventfaqs.com/news/ef-00775/beep-experiences-manges-brand-1296287831646|title=Beep Experience manages brand activation for Nokia at IIT Saarang|website=EVENTFAQS Media}} SBI, Exprez, Canara Bank, Derby, Wildcraft, Durex Jeans, Pepe Jeans, Aircel, Times of India,

Freecharge,

INOX, McDonald's, TATA Tion, isoft, Club Mahindra Holidays.

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{{Reflist}}

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Category:Indian Institutes of Technology festivals

Category:Culfests

Category:1974 establishments in Tamil Nadu

Category:Festivals established in 1974