1877 was a quiet year for India, but not so for Madras Christian College. This year earmarked the beginning of the Madras Debating Society at MCC. The Christian College Literary Society which evolved later went on to become the august College Union Society. MCC then ruled the Gordon Mathews Cup for Debating and Kibble Cup for Quiz, held as inter-collegiate events.

A true star, MCC rose to higher fame with more events such as the International Students Day, popular in the early 60s. Early 80s, one of the Gentlemen’s Halls of Residence, Selaiyur Hall, held the inter-hall cultural competition, Moonshadow. As a forerunner of the original “Deepwoods” , it provided the right ambience, and soon enough, each hall hosted its own event.

In 1980, from the MCC Gutters evolved an all encompassing extravaganza indulging every cultural and literary taste bud of the time - “Deepwoods”. The festival took a break from 1982 to 1986, when it was stopped due to certain problems. Revived later as “Touchwoods”, it was later re-christened “Deepwoods”.

This prestigious festival we see today has roots that are more than a hundred and twenty five years old.