Dehradun, April 16: Grafest 26 has begun at Graphic Era with a vibrant mix of AI, robotics, and various technical as well as cultural competitions. Chairman of Graphic Era Group of Institutions Dr. Kamal Ghanshala inaugurated Grafest-26 by cutting the ribbon. The first evening of Grafest was dedicated to Uttarakhand’s famous Pandavaas band, whose folk tunes kept students dancing for hours.
The evening of Grafest-26 was lit up by a spectacular performance from the renowned Pandavaas band. Blending pahadi folk songs with modern music in their unique style, the band created an atmosphere that connected with everyone. As soon as the tune of “Radha” echoed— “Kandhi ma dharali Radha, khair ki ganjyaali Radha, mund ma dharali Radha dyo ringaali supi Radha. Room-jaandi thum Radha, maituḍai manjuli Radha. Room-jaandi thum Radha, maituḍai manjuli Radha…”— the entire campus swayed in unison.
The lines of “Meri Gajina” “Tve dekhdi re gayo mein… meri gajina, o jiya… tve dekhdi re gayo mein…” made the youth groove to the beats, making the atmosphere even more energetic. After this, “Phulari” filled the evening with spring-like colors “Chala phulari phoolon ko, sauda-sauda phool biraula, he ji saaryun ma phoolige hvoli fyonli laydi, main ghaur chhodyava… and the audience was completely immersed in the musical vibe.
The presentation of “Kedarnath” added a deep spiritual essence to the evening “Aades Bholenbaba, basyun marghat ka chhala, Neelkanthi baba tven pyeyi bis pyala chaudah bhavan tyagi beechai gajchhala gaat chita bhasam sajin cha mund mala, peetambar nai swandu pairi baghambari chhala…” filling the atmosphere with devotion. The sacred verses of “Sandhya Jholi” “Om kholi ka Ganesh ja, Mori ka Naren ja, panch naam deb ja… subh sandhya ka parv ja…” added a unique sense of peace and spirituality to the event.
The craze for the Pandavaas team members Ishan (vocalist), Aniruddh, Khyati and Srishti (vocalists), Shreshth (drummer), Rakesh (tabla player), Anshul (flutist), along with other artists—was clearly visible among the students. The presence of students from South Sudan, Myanmar, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and other countries, who were unfamiliar with Garhwali language and songs, made the atmosphere even more special, with everyone seen singing and dancing to the beats of music.
Today, the most-awaited annual fest of Graphic Era Deemed University and Graphic Era Hill University, ‘Grafest-26,’ began with tremendous energy, vibes, and a grand opening. The ceremony was attended by Chairman Dr. Kamal Ghanshala, Vice Chairperson Dr. Rakhi Ghanshala, Pro Chancellor of Graphic Era Deemed University Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Director General of UCOST Dr. Durgesh Pant, Vice Chancellor of Graphic Era Hill University Dr. Amit R. Bhatt, along with officials of both universities, faculty members, and thousands of students. The entire campus witnessed an atmosphere full of enthusiasm and creativity.
Students from more than 50 universities across 17 states are enthusiastically participating in Grafest and showcasing their talent. From the very first day, the campus buzzed with excitement and activity. After registration, participants immediately engaged in their respective events. The Robowars event presented a thrilling blend of technology and excitement, where teams competed in the arena with their designed robots. Participants include Rahul Singh from Graphic Era Deemed University, Vansh Arora from Graphic Era Hill University, Aditya Dubey from AKTU Lucknow, Nishant Kumar Sharma from DIT Dehradun, and Tejas Tyagi from KIET Group of Institutions Ghaziabad, along with many others.
The Department of Management Studies organized a “Reverse Shark Tank,” where participants, acting as investors, evaluated business ideas and showcased their strategic thinking and analytical skills. Participants include Agrim and Muskan from Graphic Era Deemed University, Ananya and Apoorva Gupta from Delhi University, and Aryan Gupta from UPES Dehradun. The Department of Microbiology organized the Petri Plate Art competition, where participants will use petri plates as canvases to create artworks based on Sustainable Development Goals. Participants include Naina and Samay Joshi from Amity University, along with Avishka and Preeti from Graphic Era. The Department of Aerospace Engineering organized the Water Rocket competition, with participants including Palak, KP Reddy, Rahul, Khushboo, and many others. Students also set up various stalls and exhibitions during the event.
The festival, filled with technology, creativity, and enthusiasm, also showcased spectacular cultural performances. In solo western dance, Kanu, Mazhal, Bhoomika, Jasmine Manwah, Ridhi Batra, Aryan Krishna, and Kim Thapa energized the stage with their performances. In group western dance, teams like Trans Group, Crunk Group, and Hill Hopper delivered powerful performances and received great appreciation. In solo singing (Indian/Classical), Ayush Grover, Siddharth Sanduja, Sheena Bhatnagar, Abhishek, Mohit, Priyanshu, Raghav, Shaurya, and Ayaan created a melodious atmosphere. In group dance (Indian/Classical), Bhimtal Bhangra Warriors, Dehradun Bhangra Club, Himshobha, and Sadhana Rangmanch captivated the audience with their traditional charm.
Graphic Era has announced cash prizes worth ₹40 lakh for the winners at Grafest. During the three-day annual fest, students will showcase their talent in technical and cultural competitions. On the final day, renowned singer and songwriter Talwinder Singh Sidhu will mesmerize the audience with his performance.
