Mood-Indigo goes international

Mood-Indigo, the annual cultural festival of Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay will have foreign participation for the first time this year.

Mood-Indigo, the annual cultural festival of Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay will have foreign participation for the first time this year.

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About 20 students from countries like France, Germany and Norway will be participating in various events at Mood-I held from December 21 to 24.

These students are in India for a semester as part of cultural exchange programmes.

“Their participation will enhance the challenge. The best in the country compete at Mood-I and pitting them against their foreign counterparts will make it more interesting. Also, Mood-I is a showcase of Indian culture for these students,” said Aditya Gandhi, a member of the festival’s core organising committee.

This year, 650 colleges have registered compared to 563, last year.

About 60,000 people attended Mood-I last year making it the biggest cultural festival in Asia. The festival attracted a host of sponsors like Orkut and Tata Indicom. The total prize money, including things like bikes and laptops, is Rs 25 lakh.

Apart from prizes, the festival will give winners opportunity to explore their talent through the Live Your Passion campaign. The campaign allows winners to showcase their talents and work with the best in the business. For example, the winning play will get to perform at the NCPA and the winning design team gets an internship with fashion designer Neeta Lulla.

The festival will follow a pirate theme with the entire campus attempting to look eerie with skeletons, barrels, a sand ship and even a real shipwreck has been rented for four days.

Most participants from out of town will arrive on Sunday.

“Most students ensure they come back in time for Mood-I. From making props to painting the wall, everyone chips in. It brings the whole campus together across the courses,” said Rinal Chheda, a second year student.