Three-day cultural festival ends at technology institute in Patiala

The three-day 49th edition of ‘Saturnalia’, a cultural fest of Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, concluded here today. The event began on November 15 with an opening ceremony at the open-air theatre. It was inaugurated with the ceremonial lamp lighting by Director Prof Padmakumar Nair, accompanied by Deputy Director Prof Ajay Batish, Dean of Student Affairs Prof Inderveer Chana, and Registrar Dr Gurbinder Singh in the presence of distinguished faculty members.

Day one featured a mix of cultural and technological events. ‘Ruhaniyat’, a soulful solo performance, and ‘Mushaira—an evening of poetry’, captivated audiences, while Luddi and Bhangra brought Punjab’s rich traditions to life. The day concluded with the ‘Hasya Kavi Sammelan’, where Dr Vishnu Saxena and Shambhu Shikhar delivered a memorable blend of humour and insight. The evening featured captivating cultural performances, including a classical dance showcase, live music, and a ‘jugalbandi’ by renowned flautist Pandit Mujtaba Hussain, whose rendition of ‘Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajana...’ left the audience mesmerised.

‘The Tech Exhibition’ showcased students’ innovations in robotics, AI, and automation, emphasising real-world applications, while the ‘Hackathon’ pushed creative boundaries with AI-powered hardware projects.

Day two offered a thrilling blend of artistic and technological pursuits. The ‘Wild West Showdown’ thrilled the audience with synchronised dance battles, while the ‘Battle of the Bands’ displayed intense musical talent in a competitive setting along with a ‘Stunt Show’. ‘SatWalk 2024’ turned heads with its bold fashion trends, and ‘ElectroSprint’ tested participants’ engineering ingenuity as they built innovative solutions from limited components.

Day three took the excitement beyond boundaries with a thrilling lineup of events, including ‘MicDrop’, with rap and beatbox battles, and ‘Nritya Blitz’, showcasing classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi.