Though two days weekend seems so short most times, there are times when it seems to drag when you've nothing much to do. That is when Bengaluru comes out in it's full glory with many festivals and events and celebrations. Another reason why I just love Namma Bengaluru.
On one such weekend of late Feb- 27th, 28th of 2016 to be specific was when I read about the Karnataka Habba (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಹಬ್ಬ) going on at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat. Now this is one heaven for art and culture lovers. There will always be events, plays, art and painting exhibitions going on at Chitrakala Parishat and a visit is never complete without having the filer kaapi at the Kamat Lokaruchi on the premises.
We knew taking the car was a bad idea but it was three of us and we didn't have any choice. Parking is always a problem there and we made a full round of the Kumara Krupa road before finding parking space in a small bylane further up.
Even though it was only 4.30, place was filled to the brink and more people were streaming in. Even though food is always my first priority we decided to check out all the stalls before heading to the food court.
A cultural dance performance was almost coming to an end by the time we entered the amphitheater and performers were getting down the stage removing their masks. It truly seemed like a Habba (festival) in every term as everywhere we looked people were giggling and talking and shopping and eating!
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| Colorful banners hung on the building |
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| Hangings from the tree |
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| Hampi Chariot replica |
Kids dressed in colorful attires were running to get ready for their performances. There were stalls of clothes, ethnic jewellery, terracotta articles, jute, silk and cloth bags, hand made arts and crafts, Mysore sandal soap outlet and to please the women- All types of saree shops inside the Parishat building. There was a Mysore Silk Saree which had a price tag of One Lac only! and the ever rare sandalwood statues. All a delight to the eyes!
After some shopping (nope, no silk sarees, just small items!) headed toward the food court. There were all kinds of food stalls may it be coastal or continental. I took my ever favorite Neer Dose, Mangalore Buns and Paddu. After a round of filter kaapi we were ready to see the painting exhibition.
I unfortunately do not remember the artist name now, but there were some really good paintings and we had good time looking at them all. Most happy of the lot seemed to be the kids who looked like colorful butterflies left in a garden of flowers!
One thing that caught my attention and left a deep impact on me was the sight below.
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| Man with his mask |
When the mask comes off, the real face is revealed. Laughter is but a shadow of the mask and real life- a string of worries.
Though festivals like these may seem as yet another commercial venture, they are important in showcasing our culture, food and give an opportunity to the performers. In a cosmopolitan city like Bengaluru which has become home to people coming from across the world, efforts like this show a glimpse of our rich heritage and culture.
We left the festival with a riot of colors and music behind us and I'm already waiting eagerly for the festival next year.
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| Colorful masks after the performanccce |
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| Painting exhibition |
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