Student life at NIAT Kolhapur is quite active and engaging, mainly because of the club system. There are 7 different clubs, and each club organizes at least one event every month. That gives students many chances to participate, explore their interests and try new things beyond academics.
Running the Arts Club
I am the Arts Club President and Co-Cultural Head, and this role has been a very good experience for me. Being part of the organizing team and conducting events has helped me become more responsible and improved my management and teamwork skills.
So far, we have had different cultural activities and contests, such as:
- GRIT Reel Contest
- Women’s Day Short Film Contest
- A Content Creators Lab workshop, which got postponed due to low participation and may happen later
These activities help students express their creativity and build confidence.
The Art Swap: 47 Registrations, 24 Artworks
At first, the art swap sounded simple — draw something, swap it, and complete it. Once it actually started, it became way more interesting than expected.
You begin with your own idea and your own style, and everything feels under your control. Then suddenly you hand it over to someone else. That moment changes everything: now you're trying to understand what the other person was thinking. Sometimes you continue their idea; sometimes you twist it into something new.
No two pieces were the same. Each one had a mix of two different minds, which made them more creative and unpredictable. The environment was relaxed, interactive and full of energy — people talking, laughing and helping each other. With 47 registrations and 24 final artworks, people were clearly genuinely interested and involved, and the event was managed smoothly, from explaining the concept to handling the swap and completion.
It wasn't just about art. It was about:
- Letting go of control
- Trusting someone else with your idea
- Building something together
In the end it didn't feel like just an event. It felt like a shared creative moment — and honestly, that's what made it memorable.
Pitch The Worst Idea: 30+ People, 5 Teams
'Pitch The Worst Idea' sounded like just another fun activity. It turned out to be way more than that.
Instead of people trying to impress with perfect ideas, everyone came up with the most random, funny and completely impractical ideas — and presented them confidently, as if they actually made sense. There was no pressure to be right and no fear of being judged.
With around 30+ people and 5 teams pitching, the room felt alive. Some ideas were hilarious, some were so weird they actually became creative, and some just made everyone laugh non-stop. The Q&A didn't feel serious at all; people reacted and playfully roasted the ideas, and that somehow made the presenters even more confident.
Speaking in front of others usually feels stressful. Here, because everything was already bad on purpose, no one was afraid. Sometimes, removing pressure brings out the best in people. Only one thing though: if more people had been there, the energy would have been insane. Even so, the event did what it was supposed to do. It made people laugh, it made people speak, and it made people comfortable with their ideas.
Conclusion
Overall, clubs play a very important role in making college life more enjoyable and in helping students grow in different areas — from organizing an event to handing your drawing to a stranger or pitching a terrible idea with a straight face.
This article brings together accounts from Charani Reddy, Arts Club President and Co-Cultural Head, and Lavin Pattnaik.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many clubs does NIAT Kolhapur have?
Seven, and each one organizes at least one event every month.
Q2. What events have the clubs run?
The GRIT Reel Contest, a Women’s Day Short Film Contest, an art swap and Pitch The Worst Idea, among others.
Q3. How many people took part in the art swap?
47 registrations, and 24 final artworks were completed.
Q4. What is Pitch The Worst Idea?
An event where teams pitch deliberately bad ideas as if they made sense. Around 30+ people attended and 5 teams pitched.
Q5. Does every event go ahead?
No. A planned Content Creators Lab workshop was postponed because of low participation and may happen later.