UditVani, Jamshedpur : If there is one event that unfailingly reminds Jamshedpur how to pause, gather, and celebrate together, it is the MAXI Fair. On January 17 and 18, the XLRI Football Ground once again transformed into a vibrant community commons as the 46th edition of the MAXI Fair, organised by the Marketing Association of XLRI (MAXI), opened its gates to the city.
Over two spirited days, the fair unfolded as a seamless blend of creativity, competition, nostalgia, and togetherness-capturing the very soul of the city.
Day 1: A Celebration Takes Flight
From the afternoon onwards on January 17, the grounds buzzed with energy as families, students, and visitors streamed in. Day one felt like a carefully woven tapestry of talent and joy.
Culinary creativity took centre stage at MasterChef, where participants presented dishes that were as imaginative as they were flavourful. From inventive besan momos to a whimsical bird’s nest crafted with besan, shimla mirch, paneer, and aloo dough, the event proved that food can be both art and expression.
Music lovers found their rhythm at Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, where voices across age groups filled the air with melody. Each performance held the audience in rapt attention before erupting into applause, reaffirming music’s power to bridge generations.
Some of the most heartwarming moments belonged to the Fancy Dress Competition. Children took over the stage dressed as Coca-Cola bottles, Blinkit bags, and legendary figures like Jhansi Ki Rani, carrying their costumes with fearless confidence. The cheers of proud parents often rivalled the applause, making the event as emotional as it was entertaining.
The glamour quotient soared with the Mr & Mrs Jamshedpur Fashion Show, where participants walked the ramp with elegance and personality. Each contestant showcased a special talent—singing, dancing, and more—turning the show into a celebration of individuality rather than just style.
Throughout the day, food stalls formed the fair’s steady heartbeat, while the Mela Zone remained irresistible with its rides, games, and prizes, drawing laughter from children and adults alike.
As night fell, anticipation peaked. Bollywood singer Neeraj Shridhar took to the stage, and nostalgia swept across the grounds. Familiar chartbusters became collective sing-alongs, briefly turning strangers into a unified choir. Day 1 closed on a high-vibrant, joyous, and full of promise.
Day 2: Art, Energy, and a Soulful Finale
The second day, January 18 began on an artistic note with Art Attack. Young participants arrived armed with crayons, paints, and boundless imagination.
The grounds soon resembled a living canvas, splashed with colour and creativity. Proud parents watched on as children painted their dreams, evoking memories of carefree childhood afternoons.
The tempo rose with Dance Mania, as the stage came alive with electrifying solo and group performances across western, classical, and fusion styles.
Each routine carried its own emotion and flair, earning thunderous applause and keeping the audience thoroughly engaged.
Adding a playful spark was Bollywood Trivia Night, which had movie buffs on their toes. Iconic dialogues, unforgettable songs, and quick-fire questions sparked laughter, friendly rivalry, and spontaneous dance breaks-giving the evening the warmth of a large family gathering.
Much like the previous day, food stalls continued to draw crowds, while the Mela Zone remained a hub of carefree fun.
The fair reached its grand finale with a deeply moving performance by Bollywood singer Mohit Chauhan.
Sharing his personal connection with Jamshedpur, he fondly spoke about his friendship with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who attended the event with his family.
As Mohit Chauhan’s soulful melodies filled the night air, a magical hush descended upon the crowd—one that lingered long after the final note faded.
Winners at a Glance
Day 1
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa
7–12 years: Winner – Aarvi Panday | Runner-up – Anurag Chaterjee
13–17 years: Winner – Adrija Chaterjee | Runner-up – Arnav Bharadwaj
18+ years: Winner – Anshuman Kar | Runner-up – Ritam Dutta
MasterChef: Winner – Pratima Sahu | Runner-up – Bishnu Mahato
Fancy Dress
5–8 years: Winner – Atharva Gupta | Runner-up – Kaavya Agarwal
9–12 years: Winner – Arana Kar | Runner-up – Ayesha Fatima
Mr Jamshedpur: Deepak Kumar
Ms Jamshedpur: Medha Ojha
Day 2
Art Attack
5–10 years: 1st – Shreejoni Ghosh | 2nd – Aarushi
11–15 years: 1st – Trisha | 2nd – Vaibhavi
Dance Mania
7–14 years (Solo): Winner – Kinjal | Runner-up – Ananya
7–14 years (Group): Mighty Crew
15–25 years (Solo): Winner – Samriddhi | Runner-up – Sameer
15–25 years (Group): Team Void
Bollywood Trivia Night
Winners – Aditya Besra, Piu Chaterjee, Arshit
Runners-up – Harshdeep Singh Bhatia, Rajdeep Bhatia
A Fair to Remember
The 46th MAXI Fair was more than an event—it was a reminder of Jamshedpur’s collective spirit. Over two days, it celebrated creativity, talent, nostalgia, and human connection, leaving behind memories, music, and smiles.
As the lights dimmed and the grounds fell silent, one feeling lingered unmistakably: the city had come together, and it was beautiful.
