Ahmedabad: Anant National University transformed its campus into a vibrant cultural and creative hub as it hosted the 4th edition of WITH Festival alongside the inaugural Anant Student Fest (ASF) from 20–22 February 2026. Together, the two festivals created a shared platform for artistic expression, student innovation and cross-cultural exchange, open to the wider public.
The WITH Festival, themed “Borders Fade, Art Resonates,” is a globally distributed creative gathering that brings together media makers, designers and storytellers working at the intersection of art, technology and social impact. Through performances, dialogues and live artistic engagements, the festival celebrates local and global narratives while fostering creative collaboration across communities.
The WITH Festival 2026 was a celebration of diverse artistic expressions, including music, poetry, theatre and storytelling. Featured artists included masked martial arts dance by Manbhum Chhau team, Baul singer Rina Das and renowned dotara artist Kangal Kyapa, fusion band Maati Baani, Rajasthani folk artist Ghazi Khan, Code. Drift, a contemporary duo that transforms live-coded visuals and music into site-responsive performances and Beatnyk, a techno artist who integrates sound art, design and technology in his work.
The first edition of ASF showcased student-led creativity through inter-college competitions, exhibitions and performances. The three-day programme included competitions across theatre, dance, music, photography and fashion. The festival also organised an Artisan Haat featuring regional craftspeople, a curated Food Street, student-run business showcases and immersive experience zones.
Together, the festivals reflected Anant’s educational philosophy of learning through engagement, integrating art, design, community knowledge and emerging practices. By bringing students, artists and the public into a shared cultural environment, these fests encouraged dialogue, experimentation and creative exchange.
