Yugaantar 2025 brings music, comedy, and culture together in Bengaluru

Bengaluru witnessed a major cultural celebration with Yugaantar 2025, a three-day student-led cultural fest hosted by Scaler School of Technology. The event recorded a massive turnout, with footfall from more than 800 colleges across India and international participation from countries including Singapore and Nigeria.Over 2,500 attendees gathered across the three days for a packed line-up of music, comedy, live performances, gaming and creative showcases. The festival featured a headline concert by Bollywood singer Nikhita Gandhi, a stand-up comedy performance by Vivek Samtani, creator appearances, competitive band performances and multiple on-ground activities that kept the campus buzzing throughout.Nikhita Gandhi delivers a high-energy live concertThe biggest highlight of Yugaantar 2025 was the live concert by Bollywood playback singer Nikhita Gandhi, known for popular tracks such as Qaafirana and Raabta. She opened her set with crowd favourites, steadily building energy as the audience sang along.The atmosphere peaked when she performed Tu Jhoom, with phone flashlights lighting up the venue and the crowd singing every word in unison. Songs such as Iktara and Mast Magan followed, keeping the momentum high and turning the concert into one of the most talked-about moments of the fest.Vivek Samtani sets the mood with stand-up comedyDay one kicked off with stand-up comedian Vivek Samtani, who brought non-stop laughter with his sharp observations and relatable humour. His jokes about college life, awkward moments and everyday situations struck a chord with the audience, setting a lively tone for the days that followed.Music, creators and non-stop performances across campusBeyond the main stage, the campus remained active with music, dance, art and performances by students from different parts of the country. Popular creator Iqlipse Nova surprised everyone with an impromptu jam session with students, drawing large crowds and cheers.One of the most energetic segments was Riff Rumble, a band competition where student groups competed with original compositions and high-voltage covers. Powerful guitar riffs, flute solos, mash-ups and intense vocals turned the arena into a roaring crowd, making it one of the most competitive and engaging events of the fest.Tech challenges and competitive events Add to the buzzAlongside cultural performances, the event featured drone racing, robo-soccer matches, gaming zones, workshops and a multi-team hackathon. These competitions offered a combined prize pool of ₹7.5 lakh. Drone racing emerged as a crowd favourite, with participants across age groups, including an impressive eight-year-old competitor.A grand student-led cultural showcaseFrom live music and comedy to gaming, performances and creator interactions, Yugaantar 2025 delivered three days of non-stop energy and entertainment. The scale of the event and the variety of activities made it one of the most prominent student-led cultural festivals hosted in Bengaluru this year.“So proud to see our students organise a festival of this magnitude. It has been an absolute honour to witness their energy, creativity and commitment come to life on such a grand stage,” said Manmeet Singh Akali, Programme Director of Scaler School of Technology.As the lights went down and the crowds dispersed, Yugaantar 2025 left behind packed arenas, loud cheers and lasting memories, marking its place as a standout cultural event on the city’s youth calendar.