BLR AIRPORT MARKS KARNATAKA’S NAADAHABBA DASARA WITH A WEEK-LONG CELEBRATION OF ART, CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) is set to celebrate Karnataka’s iconic festival, Naadahabba Dasara, with a week-long cultural celebration from October 12–17. As Bengaluru’s gateway to the world, BLR Airport 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. In doing so, the airport becomes more than a setting for festive décor, bringing the living heritage of Karnataka into the journey itself.

Speaking on the celebrations, Shalini Rao, Chief Marketing Officer, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), said, "At BLR Airport, 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.

This cultural expression extends into the wider airport environment, with Karnataka-inspired planters, Dasara umbrellas, emblems and installations, alongside a traditionally adorned elephant at Bengaluru Duty Free and an all-women Dollu Kunitha performance.

The celebration will also extend to Karnataka’s culinary traditions, through a collaboration with chef Ranveer Brar and 080 Lounges for “A Dasara Challenge. A Karnataka Answer.” The Chef will invite Kannadigas to share the Dasara recipe they are most proud of, with the winning recipe recreated by 080 chefs and served to travellers at participating 080 Lounges on Dasara, October 20.

As part of BLR Airport’s larger Feels Like BLR campaign, the festivities will bring Karnataka’s art, culture and traditions into the passenger experience, offering travellers from Bengaluru, across India and around the world a vibrant introduction to the state at its gateway.