Three-day celebration from 27 February to 01 March is themed 'Beats of the Streets'

26 February, 2026, Bangalore: IIM Bangalore is set to host Unmaad 2026, with the theme of this year ‘Beats of the Streets’, from 27 February to 1 March 2026 at the Institute's campus. Celebrating creativity, performance, and competitive excellence, the event will bring together participants from leading institutions across the country for three days of performances, contests, and cultural showcases.

The festival will feature a curated lineup of pro-shows, beginning with a poetry and comedy show by Ranmal Jain on 27 February at 7:00 PM, followed by a Bollywood Night featuring Gajendra Verma on 28 February at 7:00 PM. The closing evening on 1 March at 7:00 PM will showcase live performances by Seedhe Maut and Raman Negi. An experiential Aylence Workshop will be conducted during the festival with an expected participation of approximately 500 attendees.

For registration: https://unstop.com/college-fests/unmaad-2026-indian-institute-of-management-iim-bangalore-433657

Event Highlights

Dance Competitions

The dance segment features Footloose, a group choreography competition in western and open styles; Street Unleashed, a crew-based street dance battle conducted in a head-to-head freestyle format; Soul n Sync, a solo and duet competition open to all dance styles; and Echoes of Heritage, a group dance showcase celebrating Indian classical and folk traditions.

Drama

In theatre and film, Aahwan presents a street play (nukkad natak) competition centered on social messaging and audience engagement; Drishya hosts a short film competition evaluated on storytelling and technical execution. Curtain Call provides a platform for scripted stage performances, and Spotlight showcases mono-acting performances emphasizing character portrayal and stage presence.

Music

The music category includes Rap-Sody, a solo and duo rap battle emphasizing originality and lyrical delivery; Voice of Unmaad, a solo singing competition across musical genres; and B-School of Rock, a live Battle of Bands highlighting performance energy and musical synergy.

F&F

In the F&F category, Haute Couture, inspired by the theme Battle of Street, Canvas Collective facilitates a collaborative painting experience, Frames of Streets, an online photography showcase capturing the spirit of the festival. Metamorph features cosplay performances rooted in storytelling, and Beauty in the Broken challenges participants to create impactful junk art installations using discarded materials.

Lits & Quizzes

The literary and quiz segment includes The Unmaad Quiz, a general open quiz featuring elimination and stage rounds; Once Upon a Time in Pop Culture, an entertainment and media quiz; Shabd Saga, a Hindi and Urdu poetry showcase; and Just -A-Minute, a rapid-fire speaking challenge.

Informals

The Informals events, such as the Treasure Hunt, a three-stage treasure hunt; Mic Drop featuring a Stand-Up Comedy battle, Food Wars, and Mr. & Ms. Unmaad, are inspired by the theme Battle of Streets.

Online Competitions

The festival also hosts online competitions, including Virtual Expedition, a fast-paced puzzle challenge; Street Anthem Challenge, a crowd-voted rhythm creation contest.