‘Rang Tarang-2026’ Concludes at IIM Jammu with a Spectacular Celebration of Creativity, Culture and Management Education
Jammu, July 17, 2026: The grand performing arts festival ‘Rang Tarang-2026’ concluded on a vibrant and inspiring note today at the Mandapam Auditorium of IIM Jammu, showcasing 17 outstanding presentations encompassing theatre, music and dance. Featuring the participation of more than 150 student artists, the festival transformed the campus into a dynamic cultural arena where creativity, teamwork and artistic excellence came together in a remarkable celebration of talent.
The valedictory function was presided over by Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, who, in his address, emphasized the growing relevance of arts and performing arts in contemporary management education. He observed that while management institutions are traditionally known for developing analytical and business acumen, the challenges of the future demand leaders who possess empathy, creativity, emotional intelligence and effective communication skills. According to him, the performing arts provide one of the most powerful platforms for nurturing these qualities by encouraging collaboration, discipline, confidence, innovation and resilience.
Prof. Sahay remarked that every performance on stage reflects meticulous planning, teamwork, leadership, time management and problem-solving—qualities that are equally essential in the corporate world. He noted that exposure to theatre, music and dance enables students to become more sensitive, socially aware and culturally rooted individuals while enhancing their ability to think creatively and lead with compassion. Congratulating all the participants, faculty mentors and organizers, he appreciated the festival for creating an ecosystem where learning extends far beyond classrooms and textbooks, making IIM Jammu a unique institution that integrates management education with holistic personality development.
The entire festival was conceived, designed and directed by Padma Shri Balwant Thakur, who was supported by a dedicated team of nearly 40 student directors, writers, designers and technicians. Over the past three years, Balwant Thakur has conceptualized and developed exclusive Performing Arts and Visual Arts courses for the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) students at IIM Jammu. These innovative courses, unique in the landscape of management education in India, have been carefully designed to empower young minds through structured artistic engagement and experiential learning.
Speaking about the philosophy behind the initiative, Balwant Thakur said that performing arts are not merely extracurricular activities but powerful instruments of education and personality transformation. He explained that theatre, music and dance cultivate confidence, creativity, communication skills, critical thinking, emotional balance and collaborative leadership—qualities indispensable for future managers and entrepreneurs. He emphasized that every student is encouraged to discover hidden potential, overcome stage fear, express ideas with conviction and develop sensitivity towards society and culture. Through an immersive process involving scriptwriting, direction, acting, music, choreography, design and production management, students experience the complete journey of creating a performance, thereby learning leadership, responsibility and teamwork in the most practical manner.
Thakur further highlighted that Rang Tarang has evolved into a pioneering educational model where management education seamlessly intersects with the arts. The festival not only celebrates artistic expression but also demonstrates how creativity can become a catalyst for innovation, problem-solving and human-centred leadership. He commended the exceptional commitment shown by the students, whose enthusiasm and dedication transformed the festival into a memorable artistic experience.
The festival witnessed valuable creative support from eminent music guru Suraj Singh, who mentored the musical presentations, Neeraj Kant, who guided the theatre productions, and Sunny Mujju, who choreographed the dance performances.
The theatrical segment of Rang Tarang-2026 featured an impressive repertoire comprising The Monkey’s Paw, Mughal Darbar Ka Raaz, Dukhi Ram Ki Katha, Yeh Laash Kiski Hai, Mughal-e-Modern, Forbidden Experiment, Jangi Ram Ki Haveli, Haider, Andher Nagari, Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma and Beta Bachao, each reflecting diverse themes, contemporary concerns and creative experimentation.
Adding grandeur to the festival were captivating musical presentations including Saraswati Vandana, Rock Show and Vande Mataram, while the colourful Punjabi and Rajasthani dance fusions emerged as major crowd-pullers, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The successful culmination of Rang Tarang-2026 reaffirmed IIM Jammu’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded leaders by integrating academic excellence with artistic expression. The festival once again demonstrated that creativity, culture and management are not isolated disciplines but complementary forces that together shape confident, innovative and socially responsible leaders for the future.
