IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand Jan 29: Continuing the cultural journey inaugurated at its commencement, Virasat Festival 2026 at IIT Roorkee concluded with a spiritually enriching and artistically powerful finale at the Convocation Hall. Organised by the SPIC MACAY IIT Roorkee Chapter, the closing event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of five institutions, faculty members, administrators, and distinguished guests, including senior leadership of SPIC MACAY and the Institute.
The concluding evening featured a grand Qawwali performance by the renowned Rampur Warsi, offering a profound expression of India’s syncretic cultural traditions. The performance resonated deeply with the festival’s central theme of mental well-being through Indian classical art forms, reinforcing the role of cultural engagement in nurturing emotionally balanced and socially aware individuals.
Reflecting on the significance of Virasat 2026, Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, “The National Education Policy 2020 emphasises holistic education that integrates intellectual growth with cultural and ethical values. Virasat exemplifies this vision by immersing students in India’s rich artistic traditions, fostering creativity, empathy, and a deeper connection with our civilisational heritage.”
Emphasising SPIC MACAY’s role in extra-curricular activities and alternative learning approaches, Deputy Director of IIT Roorkee, Prof. U. P. Singh, remarked, “Platforms like SPIC MACAY enable young minds to experience the depth and relevance of India’s classical and folk traditions within modern academic spaces. Such programmes provide an opportunity to the students to learn about different aspects of arts and aesthetics which is important for all round development of students. Such engagements are also essential for preserving our living heritage while inspiring future generations.”
Over the course of the week, Virasat 2026 featured a diverse programme of performances, workshops, and screenings spanning Indian classical dance, Hindustani vocals, Gurbani, crafts, and cinema. Together, these engagements underscored the festival’s broader objective of integrating culture, creativity, and well-being into campus life, in alignment with the Government of India’s vision for holistic youth development and Viksit Bharat.
With its thoughtful curation and enthusiastic participation, Virasat 2026 reaffirmed IIT Roorkee’s role as a leading institution that nurtures not only academic excellence but also cultural consciousness and emotional well-being.
