Chitkara University Hosts Inspiring 2nd ‘Never Ending Story’ Festival

Chitkara University recently concluded the second edition of the **Never Ending Story**, a two-day storytelling festival organised by the Chitkara Design School. This year’s event showcased a rich tapestry of voices and talents, bringing together industry practitioners, design educators, filmmakers, musicians, and professional storytellers from across India. The festival provided a dynamic platform for dialogue, learning, and creative exchange.

The festival commenced with captivating musical performances by renowned artists **Bindhu Malini** and **Lalon**. Their compositions, drawing from **Sufi**, **Bhakti**, and experimental traditions, created an immersive atmosphere that resonated throughout the event. These performances set the tone for a weekend dedicated to the art of storytelling.

Insights from Industry Experts

A standout feature of the festival was a keynote design dialogue, featuring a distinguished panel that included **Azmina Poddar**, **Sherline Pimenta**, **Pushpendra Nath Misra**, **Nina Sabnani**, and **Ramneek Majithia**. The discussion focused on the future of design education, the influence of technology on creative practices, and the evolving responsibilities of design institutions.

In her remarks, **Madhu Chitkara**, Pro Chancellor of Chitkara University, highlighted the integral role of storytelling in design and culture. She stated, “Storytelling lies at the heart of design, culture, and human connection. Platforms such as **Never Ending Story** empower students to think critically, create fearlessly, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. At Chitkara University, we remain committed to nurturing creative ecosystems that combine academic rigor with real-world relevance.”

Workshops and Creative Engagement

Throughout the two days, students participated in specialized workshops that spanned a variety of topics, including AI and design, storytelling methodologies, sound design, and humour in communication. Other creative sessions focused on improvisational music, narrative gaming, bookbinding, illustration, and play-based storytelling.

This second edition of the **Never Ending Story** festival reinforced Chitkara University’s commitment to experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. It offered students a vibrant space to experiment, reflect, and develop their creative voices in dialogue with accomplished practitioners. By engaging with industry experts, participants had the opportunity to gain insights and experience that will shape their future careers in creative fields.

Overall, the festival not only celebrated storytelling as an art form but also fostered an environment of collaboration, innovation, and learning, reflecting the values that Chitkara University seeks to instil in its students.