Last year, the inaugural Unboxing BLR Hubba planned to position Bengaluru as a cultural hotspot, taking inspiration from the iconic Edinburgh Fringe Festival. With over 300 events across the city, it indicated the city’s ability to host a world-class cultural festival. However, for V Ravichander, the main architect of the festival, this was just the beginning.

“I would say we are decades away from reaching the scale of the fringes,” he says. “Edinburgh has been transformed into a festival hub, hosting over 2,000 daily events across 600 venues. Our challenges as a city are different – ​​potholes, water and garbage – but our goal is the same: to put Bengaluru on the world map as a city worth celebrating.

This year, BLR Hubba returns with a bold new vision from November 30 to December 15, offering more curated programming, a wider range of venues, and a commitment to inclusivity.

taking it to the streets

One of the highlights this year is the Church Street Beautification Project, which will transform the popular promenade into a cultural corridor for the festival. The street will host pop-up performances, installations and interactive art displays.

Another contribution to Hubba’s repertoire is GodeBLR, in which 10 talented artists and artist groups transform eight pre-identified walls of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) stations and two prominent private walls into murals across the city .

UnboxingBLR Foundation, which operates BLR Hubba, has also been organizing free-to-attend arts and culture events in the city’s public parks over the past few weekends under the Hubba in Your Park initiative.

These street-level initiatives capture the essence of Hubba: a celebration of the city’s unique character. “Think of Habba as a showcase of the best of Bengaluru – be it technology, design, literature, music, dance, or heritage. “This is good news for a city that is often surrounded by bad news,” says Ravichander.

V Ravichander | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Repurposed Programming

Reflecting on last year’s format, Ravichander acknowledges the need for a strong identity. “In 2023, 80% of the programming was only current events happening in the city. We pitched a big tent over them and called it the Hubba. This year, the Festival has taken over, with 75% of the events being organized and financed by its organisers.

Freedom Park takes center stage as the home of Kantha, an Asian music festival, which features 38 performances over 16 days. “Kantha is the most ambitious program we have attempted. “This is a unique Asian music festival that you won’t find anywhere else in the country.”

Additionally, the festival introduces new venues to the cultural map of Bengaluru, including Panchavati, CV Raman’s ancestral home in Malleshwaram and Sabha, a 150-year-old renovated building near Commercial Street. Both venues will host art and culture events during the period of Habba.

Namma Jatre procession will be flagged off from Vidhana Soudha on 30th November at 5 pm. Celebrating the folk and cultural traditions of Karnataka, the procession is expected to last for half a kilometre, with the route likely to end at MG Road, Rangoli or Rangasthala.

Those interested in design can check out the second edition of The Makers Trail, curated by writer and art manager Manju Sara Rajan. Running from 1 to 15 December, it offers an exclusive glimpse into the creative spirit of Bengaluru, featuring 17 collaboratives including renowned architects, design studios and home studios.

godeblr | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

For everyone, everywhere

With over 500 events across 40 venues, Hubba offers something for everyone, whether in the city center or the suburbs. Its inclusivity is reflected in the ‘Gala Gala Gaddaala’ Kannada programming, in which the Kuvempu Ramayana is recited in parks across Bengaluru. “Because this is Kuvempu’s 120th year, we wanted to highlight his work in public spaces where everyone can access it.”

Organizers have also prioritized accessibility by making 350 events free to attend. “Whether you are a vegetable vendor or a cab driver, you can enjoy Habba without spending even a single rupee.”

Inclusivity also extends to communication. One thousand cab and auto drivers have been recruited to spread the word about the festival to their communities and commuters. “It is a long process, but we are committed to reaching every corner of Bengaluru.”

For Ravichander, BLR Habba is about more than just art and culture – it is about strengthening the city’s infrastructure. “Fixing hard infrastructure like roads and drainage is an important task. But creating public spaces and experiences that bring people together? It’s worth doing, and that’s what Hubba is all about. At Bangalore International Center (BIC) [Ravichandar is its chairman]We organize 500 events per year. For Hubba, we are attempting 500 events in 16 days. I like challenges like this.”

From the bustling music of Kantha at Freedom Park to the serene charm of Kuvempu readings in local parks, to the colorful chaos of Church Street and GodeBLR, BLR Habba 2024 promises to be the biggest city-wide celebration of arts and culture.

Ravichander sees this year’s festival as a step towards realizing Bengaluru’s potential as a global cultural destination. “We’re not there yet,” he admits. “But every step we take brings us closer to becoming the city of celebration we aspire to be.”

For more information about the event, schedule and tickets visit blrhubba.in