Vanaranga is a specially designed infrastructure where all art lovers in the area around SDM get together to enjoy performances under the moonlight. The cultural orientation of SDM is evident in the infrastructure dotted within and around the campus that facilitate cultural displays, and Vanaranga is one of the latest of those.

It is an open theatre  where regular art performances are held by students and faculty of SDM, such as plays, music concerts, and dance performances. The theatre has also hosted a national level cultural extravaganza named Bharateeya Lok Utsav in January 2020 where artists from different states of India showcased their native art forms.