The next time you’re dragging your suitcase through Terminal 2 of the Bengaluru Airport, you might just stumble across something that feels like the culture of Karnataka walking around. This one carries no generic souvenirs or tired clichés of “Incredible India.” It is a space that will smell faintly of sandalwood, glowing with the lustre of real Mysore silk, and humming quietly with centuries of craft passed down through calloused hands. That’s Kalaloka Store, with Karnataka bottling up its soul, and politely offering it to you in carry-on form.
A Showcase Of Karnataka’s Finest: Kalaloka Store
According to the Hindustan Times, the Kalaloka Store is all set to carve its niche as a culture-imbibed place at the Bengaluru Airport. It is all set to open in September 2025. The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Industries Minister M.B. Patil, has rallied behind this boutique-meets-bazaar concept.
It aims to put Karnataka’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged treasures in the global shop window. We may get to see Channapatna’s chirpy wooden toys, Lidkar’s buttery-soft leather, the sacred swirls of Mysore’s golden-threaded silk and the slightly too-strong coffee that South India treats like a religion. It’s a curated menagerie of the state’s finest.
Culture Arrives At Bengaluru Airport
By anchoring it in one of India’s busiest international airports, it is all set to translate the footfall into cultural traction. They’ve even roped in the airport authority to pitch in with a 50% rent concession.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t just about selling soap and scarves. It’s a cleverly designed soft-launch of Karnataka’s identity to people who might otherwise leave with nothing more than a tired dosa. By spotlighting over two dozen GI-tagged products, each with the legal stamp of origin and authenticity, Kalaloka hopes to flip the script on how regional crafts are seen.
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What Kalaloka Store Really Means For The Bengaluru Airport?
Did you know the state of Karnataka has more GI-tagged items than any other in India? Mysuru Agarbatti, Byadagi Chilli, Coorg Green Cardamom, and Nanjangud Banana – they’re not just oddities; they’re assets! As per the Hindustan Times reports, a second Kalaloka store is already in the pipeline, slated for the international lounge. The store’s design reportedly leans into sleek modernity without losing its ethnic edge.
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What Kalaloka really represents, though, is a long-overdue recognition that the stories behind our crafts are just as export-worthy as the products themselves. And finally, Karnataka seems ready to let its heritage out of the glass cabinet and into your hand luggage.
Cover Image Courtesy: kstdc/Website
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