VIT Chennai students brought a unique sight on Wednesday by recreating a tent kottai, a traditional rural cinema setup, at their Vibrance 2026 cultural fest. The event showed the classic film Aayirathil Oruvan starring M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa. The audience cheered loudly every time the hero appeared on the grainy screen. Some sat on chairs, others on benches or the ground, mirroring the old village cinema vibe. Before the screening, students carried the film reels on a horse-drawn carriage. They were greeted with a traditional aarathi by women, adding to the nostalgic atmosphere. G.V. Selvam, Vice-President of VIT Chennai, said, "Our past is a window to our culture. Most of our students have no idea of what we experienced in the past. This was an attempt to take them back." The idea started during faculty discussions before the fest and took life through student efforts. Selvam noted that although technology has changed many daily aspects, the desire to connect with history remains strong. Vibrance 2026 began Wednesday and runs for four days. It hosts about 30,000 students from 20 Indian states and over 10 countries. The fest includes roughly 200 events like tech challenges, literary competitions, sports, and cultural shows. Also, around 1,500 students joined a run promoting mental health and physical fitness earlier in the day. Every evening features performances by famous musicians and artists, keeping the energy alive throughout the event.