Festival of Literaria 2026

The Maharishi School of Science & Humanities (SOSH), Maharishi University of Information Technology (MUIT), Noida, organised the Festival of Literaria 2026 across two memorable days - Wednesday, 8th April 2026, and Thursday, 9th April 2026. The festival, an annual celebration of language, literature, and creative expression, brought together undergraduate and postgraduate students, distinguished faculty, and an expert panel of judges in a vibrant and enriching academic environment. The two-day programmed featured six competitive events and was graced throughout by the inspiring presence of Prof. (Dr.) Archana Pandey, Dean, Maharishi School of Humanities, MUIT.

Objectives of the Festival

The Festival of Literaria 2026 was conceived with clear academic and cultural objectives. The primary aim was to provide students with a dedicated platform for the expression of their literary, linguistic, and creative capabilities, thereby enriching their formal academic learning. The festival sought to foster a culture of reading, writing, and oral expression, and to encourage active engagement with the literary and cultural traditions that form the core of humanistic education. Each event was designed to nurture a distinct and complementary skill: expressive oral performance, disciplined writing, creative narrative composition, intellectual debate, dramatic expression, and imaginative character portrayal.

Inaugural Session — Day 1

Day 1 commenced on 8th April 2026 with a formal Opening Ceremony held within the SOSH premises, under the gracious presence and guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Archana Pandey, Dean, Maharishi School of Humanities, MUIT. The Organizing Committee delivered a Welcome Address formally inaugurating the festival, followed by an introduction to its vision and a comprehensive briefing on the day’s schedule, rules, and judging criteria for all participants. Her inspiring presence set an aspirational tone for the two days that followed.

Events — Day 1

Three competitive events were conducted simultaneously, each in a designated space within the SOSH building. The Poetry Recitation & Singing event, coordinated by Mr. Amit and Dr. Priyanka, featured six performances of notable quality. Malya recited Anything You Do; Suhasi Snehal delivered Hindu Dharm with conviction and cultural pride; Harshita Kasana’s rendition of The Cage earned sustained applause for its emotional precision; Pragya Preya presented The Exile of Belonging with quiet intensity; Meena’s Final Goodbye moved the audience with its tenderness; and Durgesh brought the event to a high-energy close with One Truth, Thousand Lies. Judges’ remarks and constructive feedback were delivered at the conclusion of the session.

The Penmanship Competition, supervised by Mr. Dheeraj and Dr. Nishikant, assessed participants on handwriting quality, neatness, consistency of letterforms, and aesthetic presentation through a timed passage-writing exercise, reaffirming the beauty and discipline of the handwritten word. The Ink & Imagination: Story Writing event, coordinated by Dr. Himani and Dr. Sudhir , invited participants to compose original short stories under timed conditions. Standout performances came from Abhimanyu Kasab, whose gripping narrative demonstrated mature storytelling instincts; Riya Kumari, whose story impressed with imaginative characterization; and Nidhi Saraswat, whose crisp prose held together with notable coherence. The day concluded with a Wrap-up & Announcements session.

Inaugural Session — Day 2

Day 2 was held on 9th April 2026 at the Moot Court, MUIT. The day commenced with a Welcome Address by the anchor, followed by Guru Pooja and Saraswati Vandana, which lent the occasion a sense of sacred purpose and cultural rootedness. The formal Welcome Address by Prof. (Dr.) Archana Pandey, Dean, delivered welcomed speech to all participants and guests to the concluding day, reflected on the literary spirit that had defined the festival, and affirmed the institution’s commitment to holistic education through language and the arts. A brief and appreciative recap of Day 1 highlights was presented before the day’s competitive events commenced.

Events — Day 2

The flagship event, Battle of Wits (Debate Competition), coordinated by Dr. Swati and Dr. Surbhi, proved the intellectual centrepiece of the festival. Comprising opening statements, rebuttals, and cross-questioning rounds, the debate was marked by confident articulation, sharp reasoning, and commendable composure. The Cosplay Competition, coordinated by Dr. Lata and Dr. Rinkal   celebrated the intersection of literature, imagination, and visual artistry, with participants embodying characters from literary works, mythology, and popular culture with remarkable creativity and commitment. The Skit & Monologue event, coordinated by Dr. Alok Singh and Ms. Sonakshi Saxena brought together group performances and individual monologues, evaluated on acting ability, emotional expression, script quality, and stage presence.

Closing Ceremony and Prize Distribution

Following the competitive events, the honorable, Director General, (Group Captain) O.P.Sharma offered words of wisdom, placing the festival within the broader context of the university’s educational vision. Addressing the gathering with motivational insights, he acknowledged the talent and effort displayed by students across both days and encouraged them to carry the spirit of literary expression into every dimension of their lives.

The Closing Ceremony and Prize Distribution was further graced by the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Archana Pandey, Dean, Maharishi School of Humanities, along with other deans and esteemed faculty members, including Dr. Awakash Mishra, Dr. Amita Rathi, Dr. Shweta Bajaj, Deputy Dean (Academics) Dr. Neelu Tiwari, Dr. Azad Singh (Dean), Mr. Pankaj, and Dr. Ritu Garg (Head of Department).

Winners were announced across all six events, with certificates and prizes distributed by the Director General and the present dignitaries amid warm applause. The proceedings concluded with a formal Vote of Thanks and an official Group Photograph, marking the joyful closure of the Festival of Literaria 2026.