This Dasara, BLR Airport is bringing Karnataka’s culture to life across Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, giving travellers a chance to experience the state’s traditions through puppetry, crafts, music, art and festive installations. Running from October 12 to 17, the celebrations are part of the airport’s wider Art & Culture programme and its “Feels Like BLR” experience, which aims to bring Karnataka’s identity into the passenger journey. Scroll down to know more.
Bengaluru Airport To Bring Karnataka’s Culture To Life
One of the highlights will be Dasara Gombe, the traditional doll display associated with the festival. The T2 Arrival Forecourt will host a large installation created by Padma Shri awardee Anupama Hoskere, founder of Dhaatu Puppet Theatre.
On display from October 12 to 17, the installation will explore the stories and traditions behind the dolls. Measuring around 15 ft in diameter and 8 ft in height, it will offer passengers a glimpse into Karnataka’s rich puppetry heritage. The airport will also showcase Togalu Gombeyatta, Karnataka’s traditional leather shadow-puppetry form. On October 16, from 6 pm to 8 pm, ninth-generation puppeteer Gunduraju and his team will perform at the T2 Arrival Forecourt.
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With a puppetry lineage spanning nearly 200 years, Gunduraju began learning the art at the age of five. His performances combine handcrafted leather puppets, storytelling, music and dialogue, with narratives drawn from Indian epics.
Get Hands-On With Karnataka’s Crafts
Passengers can also try their hand at traditional crafts. Channapatna doll-painting and terracotta workshops will be held at experience centres across T1 and T2. The Channapatna experience will be available at T1 Post-SHA from October 12-14 and the T2 Retail Corridor from October 15-17. The terracotta experience will follow the same schedule.
Travellers can also engage with Kavade and traditional Karnataka board games, while Dasara-themed umbrellas, planters, emblems and photo spots will add a festive touch across the terminals.
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Together, the programme brings Karnataka’s crafts, puppetry, storytelling and visual traditions into the airport, allowing travellers to experience the state’s cultural identity even before they step outside the terminal.
October 12-17: Dasara Gombe installation at T2
October 12-14: Craft experiences at T1
October 15-17: Craft experiences at T2
October 16, 6-8 pm: Togalu Gombeyatta at T2
Bengaluru people, are you excited for this?
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
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