Umang 2017

Umang is the spirit of freedom, helping youthful exuberance break free from all shackles since 1999 when its first chapter was out. Today, it is not only the ultimate college fest but is also one of the major events in the socio-cultural milieu of the City of Joy. As a matter of fact, Umang is much more, for it has been the platform for countless performers to launch themselves as professionals in their chosen fields of excellence.

The point that needs to be underscored here is that Umang is perhaps the only college fest of its kind that is organised, from planning through to execution, by the students. Yes, the faculty is ever present to lend a helping hand of support, but seldom do they need to step in as the students pack their all in the punches. Considering the size of the event, the sheer number of programmes that are conducted concurrently and the mindboggling logistics involved, Umang is certainly something even professional event management companies would proudly take credit for – to think all this is achieved by students is difficult for those who know not the quiet efficiency the runs through the veins of BESC. It will not be out of place to mention the fact that Umang is certainly among the top big-budget productions in terms of sheer opulence – the wherewithal for which too, is raised by the students. The management lessons that successive batches of students gather in the process, being priceless. 

2017 was no different. Students from almost all the major city institutions flocked into the 

‘Wonderland – Realms beyond Reality’. The fest started with an awe-inspiring speech by Prof. Dilip Shah, Dean of the Student Affairs who boosted the confidence of the organising team as well as the participants by promising that UMANG this time would be bigger and better than ever. He mentioned that for the first time UMANG introduced outdoor sports like swimming and paintball which are very rarely seen in college fests.

Nearly 50 colleges from all around Kolkata participated in around 60 events held across the span of four days. He further accentuated the enthusiasm among the audience by introducing the Management Committee members of the college who appreciated and acknowledged the efforts of the Student Organizing Committee. Dr. Suchandra Chakravarty, Teacher in-Charge said, ‘that UMANG embodies the spirit, aspirations and energy of youth.’ The UMANG theme video of the year was displayed throughout the course of the ceremony and the fest was declared open by the Chairman, Mr. Champaklal Doshi which was followed by an inaugural classical dance performance by the student at the college. 

This was followed by Kolkata based Sufi band ‘HumSufi’, they call their genre as ‘Sufusion’ which is a combination of Sufi music and Rock songs. They performed on legendary tracks like “Thare bina lage nahi mara jiya re”, “Chaiya chaiya”, “Dum-a-dum mast kalandar”, “Jugni” and many more. The sufi rock-folk band gave the songs new identities and created a complete magical atmosphere. The opening ceremony ended on a festive note, leaving everybody excited at the prospect of witnessing all the events that were to unfold in the coming days.

It is customary for Umang to end on a note that reverberates through the collective consciousness, across all college platforms till it is time to get ready for the next chapter. Meet Brothers, Sunil Grover, Sunidhi Chauhan have all fanned this pristine fire. This year, it was the turn of the power packed Punjabi music sensation Guru Randhawa, who paid back to BESC in full measure for having put him on the pedestal. The crowd that had gathered to meet, greet and sway to the beats were mesmerized as he sang his most popular tracks and got the crowd grooving to the Punjabi beats. After an hour-long performance, he bid adieu to the crowd and appreciated the exhilaration of the students.