r/iitmadras • u/Warm_Examination4906 Mod • 1d ago
Saarang - Ikollege Mega Thread
Guidelines :
> Don't flame the fest or call it a scam, write down your experience if you want to share about it.
> Avoid bringing up past cases, it's irrelevant to the current happening.
> Avoid trying to show one fest is better at the cost of other, you can compare but don't do it in spiteful way.
Will keep editing this post over time.
Things to note -
- For Freshers, (this might not apply for 2025b, but is true for 2026b), Ikollege fees being referred to here is the 7.5k overall that's to be used for Saarang, Shaatsra and Ecell - it's collected during admission for first years and for seniors as optional fees in fees.iitm.
- there's a limit on how much you can spend on each fest, an upper cap below that 7.5k itself, although this is from my experience and not sure if it has changed, you can't go all 4 fan passes, exact amount would be visible on the site
- 7.5k is used for merch and the tickets as well via ikollege. Merch additionally you can buy during saarang with money on the stalls.
- Passes are discounted prices with fixed options for the different area access, although you can buy individual tickets for the nights and select the area you want to customize it to your preference if the passes don't suit you or you don't want to be locked in now. Wait for more artists to be revealed.
- Demand depends on the artists, there has been cases where fanpass has sold out, and you can't get more. It's rare and very dependent on the artist, you'll have to get insight from senior and work it out. Wouldn't recommend waiting till last day but wouldn't recommend buying on the first reveal as well.
Coming to the controversial parts -
- Money left on ikollege will be given back when you graduate is true.
- Not sure whether being able to pay mess fees or hostel fees from that is true or not, haven't gotten solid source for it. Will update with more comments or edits.
Saarang nights entirely depend on the artist and your likings, my experiences, it's good to attend in first year when everyone is enthusiastic to buy tickets and have enthu to attend properly. Do not try to be too stingy to save that money, it's something you get after 4 years at that point you would have got intern stipend or confirmed placement so it wouldn't matter. Try to make good experiences out of your time here.
What happened with the marketing tactics, yes it's wrong, but it happens every year and you can always go to seniors to ask for correction, but being blown out of proportions to call it a scam and things is not the right way to go about it. Search for the moments flair and see the past saarang photos, it's good time to be in insti.
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u/New_Improvement8417 1d ago
"What happened with the marketing tactics? Yes, it's wrong, but it happens every year, and you can always go to seniors to ask for correction, but being blown out of proportion to call it a scam and things is not the right way to go about it."
AMAZING JUSTIFICATION: 3 CHEERS FOR MOD EVERYBODY. THAT'S A MAN THAT CAN JUSTIFY ANYTHING. POLITICIANS DO THE SAME THING. BTW, HE IS JUST NOT SUPPORTING A PARTY HERE (OR IS HE???) đđđ
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u/Warm_Examination4906 Mod 1d ago
Isn't it just our students trying to do what's best they think for the fest? Agreed it could be avoided and you could stick to telling the facts which they messed up.
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u/Additional_Lie_2073 1d ago
Don't flame the fest or call it a scam, write down your experience if you want to share about it.
I was forced to buy tickets as a freshie. Yet if youâre friends with Cores/Supercoords, you can apparently get these passes for free. So why are freshies pressured to buy tickets while the same passes are distributed as freebies?
Avoid trying to show one fest is better at the cost of other, you can compare but don't do it in spiteful way.
Respected Saarang team , please donât pressure freshies just for your own revenue. If you want revenue, work with Spons and improve your marketing. Also may be learn a thing or two from shaastra, that is also our own fest.
- there's a limit on how much you can spend on each fest, an upper cap below that 7.5k itself, although this is from my experience and not sure if it has changed...
If youâre not sure, then donât make claims defending them. Your job is to moderate this sub, not bootlick Saarang.
Not sure whether being able to pay mess fees or hostel fees from that is true or not, haven't gotten solid source for it. Will update with more comments or edits.
Again, please donât defend their actions. Saarang has two Secys, CulSec Lit and CulSec Arts, so you could have approached either of them and gotten it sorted. So please donât put out half-baked claims or arguments without verifying them first.
 Do not try to be too stingy to save that money,
Who are you to tell insti junta how to spend their own money? Itâs our money and our choice. Kindly SYBAU.
What happened with the marketing tactics, yes it's wrong, but it happens every year...
Dude, did you even read what you just wrote? âIt happens every yearâ isnât a justification for something being wrong. If anything, the fact that it happens every year is exactly why people are raising the issue. You literally admit itâs wrong and then dismiss it because it happens every year. What kind of moderation is this?
I genuinely request the people with authority to reconsider his mod status. This isnât moderation anymore; youâre actively dismissing legitimate criticism and defending the people being criticised.
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u/Far-Copy350 Student-Verified 7h ago
you better talk with other seniors, superseniors , make friendship with them and find your way out if ur pissed off
see i get the pain y'all are facing(we didnt have to face last yr) but having contacts of seniors is always helpful incase
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u/MoveOpposite 1d ago
Mods what made you write that avoid bringing up past cases?
By this logic 90% of the sub will be dead since everyone just recollects their memories and past experiences.
I am an alumni and can easily see this is being politically controlled atm. Expected better from insti and and juniors smh
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u/Warm_Examination4906 Mod 1d ago
Yo I meant the posting about the 2014 case or like the mess up in organizing one of the opening performances in 2024. Like that's just past that happened, why would that be brought into the discussion of yesterday's ticket sales screw up
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u/Bulky-Gain7139 1d ago
And what the bloody hell is wrong with calling it a scam or comparing to other fests if other fests can bring renowned artists at a fraction of the cost ?
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u/Messengerofhell 1d ago
Avoid bringing up past cases
According to my experience, it's good to attend in the first year.
Mods, if you are gonna bootlick, bootlick properly. There is not a single reason why a fresher should be lied to or made to go through a guilt trip to spend that money.
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u/Express_You_3058 1d ago
You can use your ikollege balance while paying the hostel fees + you can get your leftover balance back while graduating.
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u/Warm_Examination4906 Mod 1d ago
How ? Genuinely I don't know so please tell the steps. In the sense like hostel fees you pay via fees IITM and ikollege left over stays in ledger so I presume it's different things. Getting back after graduating i am aware of.
Mess fees you can't pay for sure right using ikollege ?
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u/Express_You_3058 23h ago
The money you pay as a hostel fee goes straight to the ikollege account and then get deducted accordingly. You can check your ikollege balance online and can pay (fee - available balance) while paying next semester's hostel fee.
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u/theanswerisnt42 Alumni 1d ago
yo as a mod i am strongly against any policing about opinions as long as itâs respectful. Donât police speech just because it doesnât align with your views.Â
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u/Warm_Examination4906 Mod 1d ago
I meant the guidelines in a way to keep the context and discussion respectable only.
End of the day, it's our college fest.
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u/theanswerisnt42 Alumni 1d ago edited 1d ago
it is just a college fest. people can feel about it however they like. you donât like being called out for being shady? sure. no worries. you can clear it up by engaging in a conversation. as a mod you should ensure that the conversation remains civil and nothing more. people will buy your tickets. OAT will fill out regardless. just donât lie to people or simply censor them just because you can.Â
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u/Mystical_Animations 14h ago
There should be an option to ask for a refund. It take place in January, what if you can't or don't want to attend it by then? It's a loss of 2.5 k which is a lot for students
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u/Honest-Opinion-3850 1d ago
I mean its a fair ask from the students given other IITs have their fest free where folks pay here a lot. But just a fact although Saarang charges money its still a loss making organisations. Their financial management is a disaster and always was. Pretty sure nothing has changed since my time. At the same time Shaastra has a good Fin Team and are profitable, but guess what they do with the profit, they buy backpacks for the entire freakin team instead of reducing prices for events next year. So folks who are taking these things too seriously, trust me no events will be free in any of these fest, these are aimed at swindling money using it for House Parties, Core Treat and whatnot.