Visitors are in for a cultural treat at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR Airport) from Monday as the Indian gateway celebrates Karnataka’s iconic festival, Naadahabba Dasara.
As Bengaluru’s gateway to the world, BLR sees itself as an extension of the city and a cultural gateway to Karnataka, bringing the state’s traditions, stories and creative heritage into the passenger journey.
The celebrations will bring Karnataka’s art, traditions and heritage to life through live performances, installations, festive experiences and interactive moments across the airport.
This year, that approach goes beyond showcasing Karnataka’s cultural heritage to making cultural discovery an integral part of the passenger experience.
Each activation is rooted in an authentic Karnataka art or craft form, allowing travellers to engage with the stories, skills and traditions behind them.
Shalini Rao, chief marketing officer at Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), enthused: “At BLR, we believe every traveller should experience the warmth, culture and spirit of Karnataka.
“That belief is at the heart of our Naadahabba Dasara celebrations, which bring the state’s rich heritage to life through music, dance, puppetry, traditional games and specially curated culinary experiences. From October 12 to 17, passengers, visitors, partners and the people of Bengaluru can immerse themselves in six days of festivities that celebrate the many facets of Karnataka’s culture.
“Through these experiences, we want to create moments of joy, discovery and connection, making every visitor feel welcomed and inspired by the spirit of our state. When travel meets local culture, it creates lasting memories and a genuine sense of belonging that ‘Feels Like BLR.’”
CELEBRATING KARNATAKA’S FOOD, ART AND CRAFT TRADITIONS
A key highlight will be the Dasara Gombe at the T2 Arrival Forecourt from October 12–17, curated by Padma Shri awardee and puppeteer Anupama Hoskere.
The display revives the Gombe Habba tradition of festive doll displays, bringing the stories, traditions and significance behind the dolls to life for travellers.
Karnataka’s puppetry traditions will also come alive through Togalu Gombeyatta, presented by ninth-generation puppeteer Gunduraju and his team on October 16, from 6–8 PM at the T2 Arrival Forecourt.
Passengers can further engage with Karnataka’s craft traditions through hands-on experiences across T1 and T2. The Channapatna Experience Centre invites passengers to paint traditional lacquered wooden toys, while the Terracotta Experience Centre offers figurine painting rooted in the state’s terracotta traditions.
The games zone curated by Kavade will feature traditional Karnataka board games including Huli Kuri, Saalu Aata, Aligulimane, Chowkabara and Spiral Snakes & Ladders.
The focus on Karnataka’s artistic traditions is an extension of BLR Airport’s wider Art & Culture programme, which brings local art forms into the everyday passenger experience.
From Flights of Wonder, inspired by Channapatna’s toy-making tradition, to Find Me a Love Song and Khora, which draw from terracotta forms, the programme also features traditional Karnataka board games and Yayati Godbole’s 12 floor inlays inspired by games created by the Mysuru Maharaja.
