Kanpur, October 8, 2025: Within every spark lies the potential to ignite brilliance, and for six remarkable decades, that spark has burned bright at IIT Kanpur through its annual cultural extravaganza — Antaragni. A festival that transcends boundaries of art, culture, and imagination, Antaragni stands today as a symbol of creative spirit, youthful passion, and cultural excellence.

Since its inception in 1965, Antaragni has grown from a modest campus celebration into one of Asia’s largest cultural festivals, attracting participation from over 400 colleges, featuring 75+ competitive and non-competitive events, and drawing a footfall of more than 1.6 lakh along with 3.5 lakh+ online viewers. This year marks a historic milestone — the Diamond Jubilee Edition — to be held from 9th to 12th October 2025, commemorating sixty glorious years of fire, art, and evolution.

The 60th edition unfolds under the captivating theme: “Kanreki’s Oraculum – Sixty cycles etched in flame, the battlefield awakens once more. Light and Shadow rise, weaving creation and chaos, as Antaragni 2025 summons a new era. This is not a return. This is a renewal.”

Embodying wisdom born of six decades and the vigor of rebirth, the theme signifies a harmonious confluence of tradition and innovation, invoking the eternal dance of creation that defines Antaragni’s enduring soul.

Extending the same tradition, “Akshar—An IIT Kanpur Literature Festival”, is organized every year by the Shivani Centre, Rajbhasha Prakoshth, Hindi Sahitya Sabha and Gaatha, an SIIC-incubated company, with inspiration from renowned Hindi novelist Smt. Gaura Pant ‘Shivani.’

To build upon this foundation, Akshar and Antaragni have been in close collaboration for the past two years, bringing together literary and cultural performances on the same stage. This creative alliance has strengthened IIT Kanpur’s cultural landscape, fostering a dialogue between language, literature, and performing arts.

As every year, Antaragni ProNights will set the campus alight with unforgettable performances across Bollywood, EDM, Fusion, and Classical genres. The grand stage that has witnessed icons like Vishal–Shekhar, Amit Trivedi, Badshah, Ritviz, Javed Ali, and international artists from Puerto Rico to Bulgaria, promises to elevate the experience even further in its Diamond Jubilee celebration.

Beyond the stage, Antaragni’s kaleidoscope of culture continues to dazzle through diverse showcases — the International Carnival brings together artists from around the world; Ritambhara, the iconic fashion show, blends elegance with creativity; Kavi Sammelan & Mushaira resonates with the voices of celebrated poets; and Comedy Night fills the air with laughter and joy. The India Inspired series hosts eminent leaders, visionaries, and creators who ignite thought and dialogue among the youth, while the Creator’s House celebrates the digital storytellers shaping contemporary culture.

Antaragni also remains a crucible for young talent, with its vast range of competitions in dance, dramatics, music, fine arts, photography, filmmaking, and literature - all designed to inspire creativity and excellence.

Day-Wise Schedule Highlights

Antaragni 2025 carries forward its legacy of cultural excellence and social consciousness with a packed four-day schedule:

Day 1: Thursday, October 9th (Inaugural Day)

• The day begins with the traditional Hawan followed by the official Opening Ceremony of Antaragni and Akshar 2025.
• The cultural and literary shows on this day shall include a memorable celebration of the relationship between Premchandra & Banaras by Vyomesh Shukla, the compelling narrative performance of Dastaan-I Kaifi Azmi by Himanshu Bajpai & Pragya Sharma, Svar Sandhya - A night of the most melodious ghazals by Mohammad Vakil & Group, and a musical celebration titled Uttar Pradesh ke Lok Geet, dedicated to the melodic folk traditions of the region, performed by Siddharth Singh.
• Svar Sandhya is a musical event of Akshar featuring Mohammad Vakil & Group. Mohammad Vakil is a distinguished ghazal singer and the winner of the 1998 Sa Re Ga Ma Mega Final. Born into a musical family, he began his artistic journey at the age of 8 and gained national recognition through his participation in the renowned reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Some of Mohammad Vakil’s notable works include “ Aya tere Dar Par Deewana” in the movie Veer - Zara, "Tera Khayal," "Woh Pehli Nazar Jo," "La Pila Saaqi," and "Kasak."
• The day's major attraction is the Ritambhara Prelims, the renowned fashion carnival of Antaragni. This preliminary round features over nine diverse teams from across India, with colleges like SS Jain Subodh College, BBD University, Manipal University, Maharani College, LIC College, Sharda University, CVS, Keshav Mahavidyalaya, and the host, IIT Kanpur, all competing to display innovative fashion and sustainable designs.
• The night culminates with Rock Night, headlined by the electrifying Raaga Magic band, known for their unique blend of Bollywood, retro, and rock infusion that promises to set the stage on fire.

Day 2: Friday, October 10th (World Mental Health Day Spotlight)

• Literary and vocal talents shall be highlighted in the Open Mic: Bachhon ka Kona and the Open Mic: Ubharte Sitare sessions. The theatrical adaptation of Jaishankar Prasad's pre-eminent magnum opus ‘Kamayani’ by Jaishankar Prasad will be staged by the Roopvani Group from Varanasi. The evening's serene performances include Sursarita by Eesha Chakraborty & Group and the traditional Mehfil-e-Qawwali by Yusuf Nizami & Group.
• In alignment with World Mental Health Day, the schedule includes a Mental Wellbeing Talk. The competitive spirit is strong with preliminary rounds for major events: Nukkad Prelims (Street Play), Junoon, Jitterbug Prelims (Western Dance), Stage Play, and Estampie Prelims (Group Dance). The day's events are rounded off with a focus on cinema and technology with the Mayanagari event and the Battery Smart Talk, and musical evenings including a Classical Night and the culmination of the music competitions with the Symphony Finale concert.
• The night is headlined by EDM Night.

Day 3: Saturday, October 11th (International Day of the Girl Child & Major Finales)

• Aligning with the International Day of the Girl Child, the day celebrates women's empowerment and features high-stakes finals:
  • Estampie Finals (Group Dance) and Synchronicity (Rock band competition).
  • A literary & intellectual discussion titled, “Kalpana se Karuna Tak” will feature intellectuals like Dr. Alok Bajpai, Dr. Madhu Saigal & Shri Anand Kakkad.
  • This will be followed by a panel discussion on Cinema & Realism, which will feature Panchayat’s Banrakas Durgesh Kumar, Chichhore’s Bevda Saharsh Shukla, and noted writer Bhawana Mishra.
  • Mahakavi Sammelan & Mushaira, Kavyanjali,& Poetry Slam shall feature as a celebration of poetry and spoken word, filled with soulful verses and heartfelt emotions. This Mehfil continues to be a true delight for all lovers of poetry and storytelling. The Kavi Sammelan will feature stalwarts like Naresh Saxena, Balmohan Pandey, Azhar Iqbal, Amritanshu Sharma, Sanya Rai, Vyomesh Shukla, Vishwanath Tiwari, etc.
  • Intellectual pursuits with Cinema Talks and a Parliamentary Debate, Nation Building (India Inspired).
  • E-sports tournaments: BGMI and Real Cricket.
  • The spectacular highlight of the evening is the Ritambhara Finals, where the selected five teams from the Ritambhara Prelims compete for the coveted fashion carnival title, bringing the day to a spectacular, high-fashion close. As the largest and most awaited inter-college fashion event in the country, the Finals will transform the stage into a runway of pure glamour and artistic expression. The five finalist teams, having passed the rigorous prelims, will unveil their meticulously crafted themed collections, judged by a panel of industry stalwarts, which often includes leading fashion designers, models, and Bollywood personalities. Beyond the team title, the event also serves as a platform to crown the most promising individual talents with the titles of Mr. and Ms. Ritambhara, launching the winners into the world of professional modeling and fashion.
  • The preliminary rounds of DJ War, Antaragni’s flagship EDM competition, are held online and across 12 cities, providing budding DJs a platform to showcase their talent and earn a chance to perform at the Color Run during Antaragni.
  • “Comic Kaun?” is Antaragni’s first stand-up comedy competition, giving performers nationwide a platform to showcase their wit, timing, and humor.
  • Groove Soothe – Yash Jain (Singer), Kahani (Submission), Fashion Geek Nrityangna, and quiz competitions like HELM Quiz, INDIA Quiz, Roots (Finale), Aamne-Saamne, Sangam.
  • The evening shall conclude with Fusion Night.

Day 4: Sunday, October 12th (The Grand Finale)

• The festival concludes with the ultimate final rounds across various categories:
  • Nukkad Finals (Street play competition) and Jitterbug Finals (Western Dance).
  • Parliamentary Debate Finals, Antaragni Idol Finals, and Mela Quiz, MnM finale, Pair on Stage Finale, A cappella finale, along with Movies/Web Series Quiz.
  • Art showcases including Battle of Art, Mandala Art, and the Drishtikon exhibition.
  • Special events like the Color Run, Kahaani Screening, and the festival's soothing daily event, Groove and Soothe, continue into Sunday, October 12th, offering attendees a chance to relax and enjoy soulful acoustic performances in a tranquil setting, providing a perfect counterpoint to the high-energy competitions.
• The four-day extravaganza draws to a close with the star-studded Bollywood Night.

In its Diamond Jubilee year, Antaragni stands not only as a testament to IIT Kanpur’s vibrant cultural heritage but also as a beacon of renewal — where art meets purpose, passion meets philosophy, and light meets life.

As the fire burns brighter than ever, Antaragni 2025 invites the world to witness sixty years of unbroken flame — a celebration of creation, connection, and cultural renaissance.

About IIT Kanpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, holds the distinction of being recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur has made significant contributions to research and development over the decades. Its expansive, lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and hosts a rich array of academic and research resources. The institute comprises 19 departments, 20 centers, three interdisciplinary programs, and three specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur remains a leader in fostering innovation and academic rigor.

For more information, please visit: www.iitk.ac.in