CHENNAI: Celebrating its 52nd edition, Saarang, IIT-M’s annual cultural festival, will light up the campus from January 8-12, reaffirming its status as one of India’s largest and most influential student-run festivals.
With an expected footfall of over 80,000, Saarang 2026, themed ‘Beyond Realms’, explores how art transcends physical boundaries to transport audiences into imagined worlds.
Over five days, the IIT-M campus will host a vibrant mix of competitions, workshops, exhibitions and performances, drawing students, artists and audiences from across the country. This year’s edition introduces new initiatives such as a non-competitive performance cluster, the Nova Experience Zone inspired by early-2000s pop culture, and the return of the Saarang Parade and the General Championship, encouraging sustained inter-college participation.
The festival also features Meraki’s AdZone, IIT-M Model UN, and an expanded social outreach campaign, Kalaa, supporting traditional artisans and underprivileged communities.
The festival will culminate each night with high-profile professional shows, including performances by Avial, Brodha V and Sid Sriram, alongside an international World Fest and an engaging Spotlight Lecture Series.