New Delhi, May 14 : Arena Animation proudly announced that its student, Mayank Nayak from Noida, has secured national recognition at the prestigious Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 Logo Design Competition. Organised jointly by the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority, MyGov India and the Association of Designers of India, the nationwide competition witnessed participation from over 3,000 creative minds across India and overseas.
Mayank Nayak secured the Second Prize and was felicitated with a ₹2 lakh cash prize and a memento by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the official logo unveiling ceremony held at Sahyadri Guest House, Mumbai, in the presence of senior dignitaries, saints, and spiritual leaders.
Arena Animation, a pioneer in creative education (M&E) and a leading training brand of Aptech Limited, is commemorating 30 years of shaping industry-ready talent in Animation, VFX, Gaming, and Digital Media. The achievement further reflects the institute’s commitment to nurturing young creative professionals and empowering them to excel on prestigious national platforms.
Further reflecting on this proud milestone, Chief Business Officer Global Retail Business at Aptech Limited and Brand Custodian, Arena Animation, Mr. Sandip Weling, said:
“At Arena Animation, we believe creativity has the power to shape culture, inspire communities, and create meaningful impact. Mayank’s recognition at a prestigious national platform like the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela Logo Competition reflects the strength of young Indian creative talent and the importance of industry-aligned learning. We are immensely proud to see our students contribute to projects that celebrate India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage while showcasing contemporary design excellence.”
Adding to the local significance of the achievement, Mr. Akshansh Khosla, Centre Director, Arena Animation Noida, said:
“It is a moment of profound pride for us at Arena Animation. The Kumbh Mela has a significant historic and cultural significance and seeing the creative prowess of Arena students being recognized at such a monumental level is heartening. This success underscores our mission to provide students with the technical skills and the creative vision required to represent India’s heritage on a national stage. We are dedicated to continuing this legacy of excellence as we prepare for the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh.”
Sharing the excitement, Mayank Nayak, from Arena Animation Noida, who was also recognized for his contribution and bagging a second place, said:
“Designing for an event as sacred as the Kumbh Mela was both a challenge and a deeply spiritual journey. The guidance I received from my mentors at Arena Animation allowed me to blend traditional symbolism with modern design aesthetics. To have our work acknowledged by the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra and such an esteemed jury is a dream come true and a huge motivation for my future career in the creative industry.”
The competition was conducted on the MyGov platform between November 20 and December 20, 2025, and received an overwhelming 3,067 entries, including participation from 70 international contestants. Maharashtra recorded the highest participation, followed by Delhi and Tamil Nadu, while the 18–24 age group emerged as the most active contributors.
The entries were evaluated by an eminent jury panel comprising renowned creative and design experts, including Prasoon Joshi, Ashwini Deshpande, Mandar Rane, Vrushali Kekane (Deshmukh), Barish Date, Vinay Narang, Dr. Prajakta Baste, Praful Sawant, Dr. Dinesh Vaidya, Anthony Lopez, and Dr. Kiran Shinde. The designs were judged on parameters such as creativity, innovation, brand relevance, and presentation. The final official logo beautifully reflected the spiritual heritage of Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, incorporating symbolic elements such as Lord Shiva’s Trishul, the Trimbakeshwar Temple, the Kalaram Temple arch, and the Godavari River artistically depicted as a Shivling, representing the sacred essence of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
This achievement further strengthens Arena Animation’s commitment to nurturing future-ready creative professionals capable of making a mark across national and global creative industries.