Movie of KGPians...

The life of students in IIT Kharagpur has evolved to include unique features quite different from those of their counterparts in other IITs. It has also evolved a rich slang language referred to as KGP Lingo. The student life in IIT Kharagpur unique and is famous for the Illumination and Rangoli festivals, Spring Fest, Kshitij, Hall days and the General Championships.

Illumination and Rangoli 09

Illumination (popularly known as ILLU) is a festival of Diyas and Rangoli, unique to IIT Kharagpur. It gains inspiration from and is celebrated on the day of Diwali, the festival of lights. It is organized in a competitive environment, with all 17 halls fighting for the prize. As a part of the competition, the halls build vertical panels of bamboo (called chatais) on which thousands of lamps (diyas) are mounted forming outlines of people/things that illustrate an event or a place of importance. The chatais are sometimes even of the order of 20 feet in height, and overall some 20,000 lamps are lighted. Traditionally, themes from the Ramayan and the Mahabharat have been popular choices.

(Illu presented by MMM Hall)

(Illu of LLR Hall baged second prize)

(Gold Winning Illu 09 by RK Hall)

(Wild Photography)

On the same day as Illumination, the Rangoli Competition is also organized. Gigantic Rangolis of detail and shading are constructed using coloured powders, crushed bangles, pebbles, etc. Interplay of light and shadow and ambient music are part of the display. This is also fought for on an inter-hall basis. This is followed by a series of Tempo Shouts, another tradition belonging solely to IIT.

Five engineers' are putting their efforts to represent rangoli of Aladin for ILLU.

Gold medal winning rangoli (Low Resolution)