15-day BLRHubba seeks to showcase myriad hues of Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The question of what defines a city is one that demands ongoing reflection from its residents.

If you ask a Bengalurean, “What’s Bengaluru?”, you’re likely to get many different answers.

Seeking to answer this question through community engagement and to revitalise the city’s public spaces, Bengaluru-based NGO, UnboxingBLR Foundation, is hosting BLRHubba — a two-week annual festival running from November 30 to December 15.

The festival will showcase the city’s vibrant performing and visual arts, literature, theatre, science, music, technology, and design.

With over 500 sessions planned across the city, the hubba offers a fresh perspective on Bengaluru, a global tech hub, organisers say.

The festival lineup includes guided tours of Nagarathpet, Malleswaram, and Basavanagudi, alongside literary, art, and theatre workshops. There will also be art exhibitions, marathons, film screenings, and engaging discussions on the city’s essence.

Adding a unique twist, the hubba will host markets for children, musicians, and art and craft enthusiasts at Jayamahal Palace lawns, Jayanagar 4th Block, and Koramangala.

Daily event venues include Freedom Park, Bangalore International Centre, Panchavati (Malleswaram), and Sabha (Kamaraj Road).

Malini Goyal, founder of UnboxingBLR, said the first hubba in 2023 drew over 2,00,000 participants across 60 venues. Emphasising community involvement, she noted, "As Bengaluru grows as a tech hub, the festival reflects the cultural map that enriches Bengalureans’ lives beyond work.”

In the coming years, BLRHubba aspires to become the largest cultural festival in an Indian city. Most events are free to attend. For more details, visit blrhubba.in.