BLR Hubba Festival Energizes Bengaluru Over the Weekend
Freedom Park in Bengaluru came alive with vibrant energy on Saturday as the BLR Hubba festival drew massive crowds. This art and cultural fest, organized by Unboxing BLR with support from the Karnataka government, kicked off on Friday and continues through January 25. The event spans multiple venues across the city, offering a diverse range of activities for all ages.
Vegan Market and Food Stalls Delight Visitors
At Freedom Park, conscious buyers flocked to the popular vegan market. Shoppers eagerly filled their carts with eco-friendly products like soaps, shampoos, lotions, and perfumes. They also browsed through clothes and jewellery, making sustainable purchases. The food section, named Thindipuram, captured the essence of Bengaluru's famous food streets with creative twists. Vendors served innovative dishes such as paan with unexpected ingredients, pithaguri porridge reinvented with spinach and chicken, and a fusion of jhal muri with bhel puri for explosive flavors.
A Festival for Everyone: Students, Seniors, and Newcomers
The festival served as a perfect hangout spot for students and a nostalgic blend of old and new Bengaluru for senior citizens. Tourists and recent transplants to the city found it an excellent opportunity for cultural exploration. Deepak Gupta and Monica Gupta, who recently moved from Hyderabad, shared their excitement. "This festival is giving us a chance to understand the culture of the city," they said. "We are really liking the art installations, and even as adults, some things in Makkala Hubba managed to capture our attention."
Daytime Activities and Evening Performances
Daytime activities included walking tours and workshops that engaged visitors in hands-on experiences. As evening fell, the festival transitioned into music, theatre, and dance performances across various venues. These events added a dynamic layer to the cultural celebration, keeping the atmosphere lively and entertaining.
Visitor Experiences and Testimonials
Attendees expressed their enthusiasm for the festival. Deenaz Damania, a psychotherapist from Richmond Town, noted, "I am here at the festival because I love the concept of it, it showcases the essence of the city. I am checking out different art installations and exhibitions here, and in the coming days, I wish to have more meaningful experiences."
Neha Sapri, a resident of Cooke Town, mentioned, "It's been a really nice experience, and the kids are enjoying all the activities. Such events need more publicity, as before coming here, I did not understand how interesting it could be."
Anand J and Tara Anand, a father-daughter duo, shared, "We came to see the kids' activities and attend Rohini Nilekani's reading session. We also like the fact that there are so many books that we can buy."
Sujay Alurnarayana from Uttarahalli said, "It is my first time at BLR Hubba and so far, I really liked the vegan market. The event is neatly organised with water stations and restrooms, and the ambience of Freedom Park itself is very nice. As a family, we do not go out often to such events, but we are now planning to make a habit of it."
Pushpanjali Reddy, an architect from Indiranagar, added, "I always found myself too busy with work and realised I was missing a lot of these events. So today I decided to come to Freedom Park and then also go to NGMA. I think such events are very important to just chill and get away from your mundane life, but of course, except for the traffic."
Brinelle Maria, a visual arts student at CKP, commented, "As a visual arts student, I really liked the art installations of Shilpa Gupta and Denise Peters. This is the first time BLR Hubba is organised on such a big scale. I plan to check out other venues as well with my friends."
A group of design students from RV University—Aadya, Sampurna, Amritha, and Kruthika—shared their favorite parts. "The vegan market was the best, according to us. There were so many varieties of products. We also loved trying golgappa, ramen, Bengali churmuri and pitha, which was like a coconut roll at the food stalls. We are planning to attend more such events whenever we get a break from college," they said.
Festival Details and Impact
The BLR Hubba festival wraps up on January 25, providing ongoing opportunities for cultural engagement. With its mix of art, food, and performances, the event highlights Bengaluru's vibrant community spirit and creative energy. It stands as a testament to the city's growing cultural scene, attracting diverse groups and fostering a sense of connection among residents and visitors alike.
