Mood Indigo is the cultural college festival of IIT Bombay. It is a distinguished tradition in the history of college festivals.
(image source: The Indian Express)
What is Mood Indigo?
After three years of delays, Mood Indigo is finally set to recommence its run. The festival was cancelled in previous years due to the Covid 19 pandemic and hopes to make up for lost time by coming back with a bang.
Mood Indigo is Asia’s largest college festival. It is a grand affair, with a legacy to match. The festival has been in operation for 51 years, starting in 1971. The dedication of the students behind the festival has truly propelled the festival to new heights.
(Image Source: Outlook India)
Mood Indigo is ready to entertain new festival goers with dazzling concerts, intriguing discussions and exciting competitions. The various events of the festival are sure to enthrall attendees.
Finally when is it occurring?
The festival is four days long, taking place from the 27th of December to the 30th of December. It is set to go in full swing, making up for lost time. The wait is finally over.
Mood Indigo boasts a full rota of distinguished entertainers like Simple Plan, MAGIC! Mike Portnoy, Porcupine Tree and Sander Van Doorn. Keeping with the tradition of bringing in international performers, the festival will be bringing in New York pop-rock band American Authors. They will perform on the 28th.
The festival is completely free for college students. To avail this, students must simply show their college IDs and MI number, which can be found by registering at mymoodi.org.
The history of Mood Indigo
The festival gets its name from the jazz piece of the same name, “Mood Indigo”, by the famous artist Duke Ellington. Mood Indigo began in the year 1971, with a budget of just 5000 rupees. It was partly sponsored by the IIT Bombay Gymkhana and in part by advertisements.
In 1981, singers Asha Bhosle and RD Burman performed at Mood Indigo. There were also Rock Shows, Bonfires, Classical Concerts, and Jamming that went on till dawn that year.
(Image Source: Wikipedia)
In 1993, the festival got a sponsorship of 5 lakhs, and by 1997, it had acquired a budget of about 24 lakhs.
In 2008, Mood Indigo got its first international performers in the form of an Ensiferum concert. The following year, the band Porcupine Tree performed in India for the very first time at Mood Indigo.
In 2010, Mood Indigo hosted India’s first sumo wrestling match, between three-time world sumo champion Byambajav Ulambayar and former world champion Naranbat Gankhuyag.
(Image Source: Mumbai Live)
MI ’11 also made into the Limca Book of Records for the greatest number of international artists in a college festival. India’s first international carnival was held in 2012.
Mood Indigo 2014 was themed “A Vintage Affair”, and featured installations including a vintage car, gramophones, typewriters, and cassette film art. In 2015, the theme was “A Hawaiian Escapade”. The campus featured a 10-ft sand castle, tikkis, beachballs, and surfboards. 2016’s Mood Indigo was themed as “A Bombay Chronicle” and gave the visitors a flavour of the city Mumbai through interactive installations.
Due to the covid pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 festivals were held as virtual events.
