A vibrant celebration of youth culture, Ranvita 2026 transformed CMR University’s Lakeside Campus into a living canvas of music, movement, ideas, and shared energy over two unforgettable days.
For two days in January, the Lakeside Campus of CMR University vibed differently, louder, brighter, charged with movement and music. The 2nd edition of Ranvita held under the theme ‘Spectrum of Stardom’ unfolded on 9th and 10th January as a celebration of youth, creativity, and the many ways students choose to express themselves.
The annual cultural fest drew students from Karnataka and beyond, with participants representing 18 universities and over 30 colleges. More than 5,000 students came together to perform, compete, participate, and simply be present in the moment. Every corner of the campus moved to its own rhythm, some loud, some subtle, all alive.
A stage set for possibility
Ranvita 2026 was inaugurated by actor Shri Niranjan Sudhindra, in the presence of Dr. K. C. Ramamurthy, IPS (Retd.), Chairman of the CMR Group of Institutions and CMR University, and former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. Prominent Kannada actor Dharma Keerthi added his aura to the celebrations in the evening, elevating the spirit of the opening ceremony.
Addressing the students, Shri Niranjan Sudhindra spoke about passion, discipline, and using opportunities with intent. Dr. K. C. Ramamurthy encouraged students to make full use of the spaces, platforms, and experiences available at CMR University inside classrooms and far beyond them. The message was clear, that talent thrives when it is given room to move.
The fest also witnessed the presence of Dr. H. B. Raghavendra, Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Praveen R., Pro Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Mohan Babu, Registrar; along with Deans, Directors, faculty members, and staff who supported the event across both days.
Moments that owned the spotlight
Across two packed days, Ranvita 2026 unfolded through performances that refused to stay within a single rhythm or form. The schedule moved effortlessly between high-energy showcases and quiet, thought-driven formats.
From Western and Indian group dances to Battle of Bands, acappella, and solo singing, music found its way into every hour. The fashion show carried bold ideas to the runway, while street plays and Nukkad Chronicle commanded attention with narratives rooted in social reality.
Beatboxing battles brought raw vocal skill to the forefront, while Desi Riot and DJ-led sets kept the campus moving well into the evening. Duo Dance turned coordination into spectacle, and Air Crash performances pushed storytelling through movement and intensity.
Street plays drew crowds into moments of reflection, using theatre to speak about society, identity, and lived realities. Music took many forms, solo acts, bands, and experimental formats, while fashion, photography, gaming, creative writing, and visual arts created parallel spaces for expression beyond the main stage.
Creative spaces stayed equally alive. Photography, face painting, slam poetry, creative writing, and art-based events gave students space to slow down, observe, and respond. Competitive formats such as BGMI gaming, reverse coding, and Greenovate added a sharp edge, proof that creativity and strategy often share the same ground.
The amphitheatre and main stage moved in parallel, hosting performances that pulled students from one space to another, never quite allowing them to choose just one thing to watch. Every corner of the campus felt active. Students claimed space, exchanged energy, and set the tone for what youth-led culture looks like today, confident, collaborative, and unapologetically expressive.
A saga that left a mark
Day 2 closed with a DJ Night and live band performance, drawing students back together as the sun set over the campus. The gates closed early, the crowd gathered closer, and the music carried well into the evening. It was the kind of shared moment that lasts longer than photographs, familiar faces, loud choruses, tired feet, and wide smiles.
With a total prize pool of ₹1,22,000, divided across multiple competitions, every performance carried its own stakes. From dance and music to theatre, gaming, and creative events, recognition followed effort – keeping the competitive energy alive across stages and giving more students a reason to step forward.
More than a fest, a shared memory
Ranvita has always been shaped by students, and 2026 was no exception. Featuring over 25 cultural events, every performance, rehearsal, delay, cheer, and encore added a distinct layer to the experience.
Every college competed fiercely. Friendships formed quickly. Ideas travelled across disciplines and campuses.
What remained after the stages were cleared were quieter moments, a group crowded around a camera reviewing shots, performers sitting on the floor catching their breath, volunteers guiding strangers like familiar faces. These are the moments that define campus culture.
Ranvita 2026 stayed true to what it has always been: a platform where voices, movements, and ideas collide. With young voices taking over, creativity found room, and the campus became a living, breathing gallery of expression.
It left behind an enduring impact on everyone who walked through those two days, on stage and in the crowd.