The buzz has begun on social media and across real-world campuses of students in white coats.
On Monday, the Jipmer campus will turn a ground zero, with the launch of ‘Spandan 2014.’ the 29 intercollegiate festival hosted by the Jipmer Students’ Association.
The hosts are expecting to attract many more footfalls than the 5,000 participants from over 50 colleges in the previous edition. A customary marathon run on Sunday will be the prelude to the festival launch on the following day.
“This is most likely the biggest campus festival among medical colleges in south India,” says Sharan Murali, general secretary, Jipmer Students’ Association.
Over the years, Spandan has cultivated a campus legacy in these parts, attracting talents from medical colleges all over India as well as roping in a number of frontline artists to perform.
And, much like reputed festivals at other institutions, Spandan too can turn into a barometer of who or what is cool on campuses.
The previous editions have showcased Sivamani, Benny Dayal, Karthick Iyer and French singer Norig and rock bands such as Junkyard Groove, Moksha, Motherjane, Agam, Roxygen and Parousia.
This year, the organisers have aimed for a bigger bang with the likes of Andrea Jeremiah and Stephen Devessy, both of whom are probably performing live acts for the first time in the city.
Spandan 2014, which will feature about 50 events, has been styled on previous editions.
There is the Les Beaux Arts (Cultural events) evenings at the Open Air Theatre offering versatile entertainment across segments such as Alaap -Indian music, Chorea, which stands for theme and non theme based choreography, Dernier Cri - Fashion Show, Euphony- Western Acoustics and Tinnitus-Western Music.
The Les Litteraires (literary events) segment features literary events such as open quiz, debate, scrabble, dumb charades and flash fiction while Les Jeux is all about sports such as volleyball, basketball, football, chess and badminton.
There is also a futsal contest (a smaller version of football).
One of the highlights will be the ‘La Fete Du Cinema,’ a festival of short films.
