National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) and SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) have joined hands to promote art and culture. The initiative aims to foster the exchange of Indian culture, art, and music and create awareness about the rich cultural heritage of the country.

The institute has formalized this collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The collaboration aims at hosting VIRASAT '24, a 17-day cultural programme on the campus. The event will include performances by eminent artists from different parts of India. 

It will also dedicate three days for movies, 5 days for workshops, and two days for presentations. Five concerts will be the highlights of the event. Heritage walks and nature walks are also part of the event.

“The VIRASAT programme is expected to nurture artistic and cultural temperament in students,” said Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NITC. The workshops will help them to learn more about the art form and the artist, he added.

Another focus of the collaboration is the establishment of a Heritage Club at NITC. This club will serve as a hub for promoting arts and culture on the campus. It will host workshops, lectures, and performances by renowned artists.

“The institute will also host one SPIC MACAY event every month and annual festivals like VIRASAT series or state conventions,” said Dr. G K Rajanikanth, Chairperson of Centre for Cultural and Art Relations (CCAR), who inked the MoU for NITC. The events including concerts, workshops and heritage walks will be planned jointly by NITC and SPIC MACAY, he added. 

Gladiss Isaac, Chairperson of SPIC MACAY Calicut Chapter; Chicku Irshad and Arun Krishnakumar, coordinators of SPIC MACAY will coordinate the events at NITC

VIRASAT '24

VIRASAT is one of the main cultural festivals of SPIC MACAY. The meaning of this Hindi word is heritage. Educational institutions across the country and abroad actively participate in this cultural extravaganza. Many cultural events which showcase various folk and classing art forms including music and dance are now included under the banner VIRASAT. Besides, cinema screenings, heritage walks, handicraft workshops, and theatre programmes also are part of this event. 

History of VIRASAT 

The VIRASAT programme has a rich history, originating in Dehradun in 1995. It expanded into a nationwide event with VIRASAT 2008, which featured concerts and events in Delhi and 300 other localities. Eminent artists such as Pt. Birju Maharaj, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, T.N. Seshagopalan, Alarmel Valli, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Shovana Narayan, Pt. Rajan and Sajan Misra, Teejan Bai, participated in the series of concerts. 

The partnership between NITC and SPIC MACAY marks a significant stride towards enriching the cultural landscape of the institute. The establishment of the Heritage Club and the collaboration with VIRASAT '24 exemplify NITC's dedication to fostering a deep appreciation for India's artistic and cultural traditions among its students and the broader community.

Media Reports

• NITC and SPIC MACAY join hands for promoting culuture and art - New Indian Express

• എൻ ഐ ടി യും സ്പിക്മകെയും ധാരണാപത്രം ഒപ്പുവെച്ചു - Malayala Manorama