“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” - Vincent Van Gogh.
Behind every successful edition of Malhar lies a process the audience rarely sees. Every year, Malhar arrives in August. But long before the crowds gather, before the stage is built, and before the college hums with rhythm, Malhar exists in the work that begins months earlier. The chatter around Malhar takes over Mumbai in July, but the journey quietly begins behind the curtains in April every year.
As the story begins every year, Malhar 2026, too, started small: just the Quartet sitting around half-finished ideas and conversations that stretched late into the night. And somewhere between chaotic discussions, voice notes, endless calls, and “we’ll figure it out later”, the fest quietly began to take shape.
Then came the domino effect that every workforce member knows all too well. Departments appeared overnight, responsibilities were assigned, and group chats multiplied faster than anyone could mute them. Calendars filled up, sleep schedule became a myth, and people convinced themselves that it would work out. That is how Malhar always grows—gradually, in ways you barely notice. One day, it is just a conversation among a few individuals, and the next, just like that, there are hundreds of people working on it.
“Since we are in the beginning stages of the preparation of Malhar, we have a completely blank canvas in front of us, so we are still open to an unlimited number of possibilities. We don't just have to limit ourselves. I'm feeling pretty excited, and the excitement keeps increasing every day as we get closer to Malhar!” - Ethan Colaco, CP for Malhar 2026.
At first, the process was simple. Meetings revolved around brainstorming ideas, creating rough timelines, and understanding the direction the fest would take this year. But as the days passed by, every department started building its own framework while simultaneously contributing to the larger vision of Malhar 2026.
The making of the festival exists in spreadsheets, presentations, brainstorming sessions, and 1 a.m. calls. It exists in constant revisions by all the events departments in the RnR for the events, schedule changes, the final (final) changes in the RnR by the Admin department, and the ongoing effort by Logistics and Texx to ensure that every aspect of the fest aligns with the vision being built. What begins as a short meeting often turns into hours of discussion, with teams solving problems that arise, brainstorming event concepts, sponsorship proposals, publicity planning, and schedules that continue evolving every day.
“Before Malhar begins, it feels like you’re a piñata, like the work is going to make you tired, but the candy inside, which is the fun and the result of it all, makes it all worth it.” - Prajakta Walavalkar, OC Assistance.
Despite the constant pressure, there is also a shared excitement that continues to drive the team forward. Because Malhar isn’t built in a single moment, it is built gradually—through team effort and consistency.
“The one thing I love about Malhar before it begins is the creative rollercoaster. From one event to another, from one tweak to finalisation. That’s been a crazy ride, yet one of my favourites.” - Yash Rane, VCP Events.
Malhar is shaped by different perspectives, personalities, and ideas coming together to create something larger than any one individual contribution. Perhaps that is where Iridescence becomes more than a theme. Every department adds a different layer to the festival. Every volunteer brings a unique energy to the process. Individually, these efforts may seem small, but together they create the colour, movement, and atmosphere that define Malhar.
As we come closer to Malhar and the hallways buzz with excitement, we asked some of the workforce members about their experience of being a part of this wondrous journey for Malhar 2026.
“Malhar feels like a slow unravelling of team bonds and new friendships and inside jokes, and a lot of ideation work—which is exhausting, but such a magical feeling, being creative together.” - Pia Oza, OC Literary Arts.
“It feels like bargaining at Hill Road or Colaba Causeway. You are using every single negotiation tactic known to humanity, speaking at 100 words per minute, trying to convince someone that your offer is the best they’ll get all day, all while pretending you are completely calm and have other options.” - Evaah Roy, OG Conclave.
“Pre-Malhar is chaotic, exhausting, but also a fascinating journey. Getting to know my teammates’ incredible ideas and sharing this wonderful experience with them is truly an amazing experience.” - Aditi Prabhu, OG Literary Arts.
“Malhar, before the fest actually begins, is a mix of all emotions, like curiosity and happiness. Sometimes it's really calm before the chaos.” - Divyanka Guha, Coordi Hospitality.
“If I could describe Malhar in only 3 words, it would be—chaotic, exhausting, unforgettable.” - Aaryan Rao, Coordi Assistance.
“It’s amazing to witness different people share their ideas and work towards making a collective vision the best it can be.” - Abigail Kuzhimannil, Coordi PR.
And perhaps this very collaboration, adaptability, and the commitment of individuals working behind the scenes even before the audience arrives, is what makes Malhar truly beautiful. Because before Malhar becomes a festival for thousands of people to see, it becomes a shared world for the people who build it together—one idea, one discussion, and one late-night call at a time.
So, as each one of us in the workforce opens File 26: Project Malhar, we celebrate not just the festival that awaits us, but also the journey, the people, and the iridescent spirit that continues to bring ideas to life, one idea at a time.