Ranga Shankara
Ranga Shankara is a world-class
theatre facility that is
committed towards the art of
theatre. It has constantly
introduced theatrical
performances from India as well
as abroad. With more than 300
plays a year, it facilitates
outreach programmes for the
audiences and tries to impart theatre skills to the enthusiasts.
Ranga Shankara, 36/2 8th Cross II Phase J P Nagar, +91 80
2659 2777, 2649 3982
music forms, instruments and
other art forms like dance,
theatre etc. It inculcates
discipline, confidence and sense
of commitment in people and
aims at cultural unity through
music.
No 8, CBI Main Road, HMT-
HBCS Layout, RT Nagar (Next
to St. Jude's Church),
+91 80 2353 6090, 2354 6090
Natya Institute of Kathak
and Choreography
Natya Institute of Kathak and
Choreography is an attempt by
dancer and choreographer Dr.
Maya Rao to nurture talented
dancers and performers. It
provides courses in different
dance forms and shows up high
calibre performers and
choreographers.
Bhoomika, 37, 17th Cross,
Malleswaram,
+91 80 2334 8645
Indian Institute of World
Culture
The centre works towards
uniting the world through
literature, art forms, science
and history. Various
programmes like public
lectures, art exhibitions, film
shows and concerts are
conducted for different causes.
Chitrakala Parishath (College of
Fine Arts)
B P Wadia Road, Basavanagudi,
Bangalore
080-26678581
B P Wadia Road,
Basavanagudi,
+91 80 2667 8581
Art Complex
The college of fine arts under
Chitrakala Parishath is one of
the best institutions of art
education in India. The
parishath conducts some of the
best art exhibitions both at
national and international
levels.
Kumara Krupa Road.
+91 80 2226 1816, 2226 3424,
Suchitra Film Society
The film society which is a part
of Cinema and Cultural
Academy screens some of the
world-class films from different
languages across the world.
They have also expanded to
theatres, dance and music.
#36,9th main,(B V Karanth
Road), Banshankiri 2 nd Stage,
+91 80 2671 1785
Attakalari Centre for
Movement Arts
Attakalari Centre is a charitable
organization which
concentrates on contemporary
dance, Kalarippayattu, yoga,
ballet and other dance forms.
The institute organises and
produces different events
related to the contemporary
dance. It also plays a key role in
bringing out digital arts.
24-04, BTS Bus Depot Road,
Wilson Garden, Behind
Mandovi Motors.
+91 80 2212 3684 / 4148 3534
/ 4146 7690
FESTIVALS
Bengaluru Habba
‘Bengaluru Habba' is an
initiative by the Karnataka
State Government to promote
sports and culture. The annual
cultural and sports event that
lasts for 10 days is celebrated
during the month of November
or December. The event
promotes art forms like
Hindustani classical music,
classical dance, Jazz, street
theatre, Rocks music and sports
like, tennis, Golf and
swimming. Artists from
different parts of India
participate in different events
and work towards cultural
unity.
Bangalore Karaga Festival
The festival is celebrated in
Dharmaraya temple every year
during the month of March and
April. The festival is celebrated
by the Thilaga community to
worship Goddess Shakti. It
starts from the day of Chaitra
poornima. On that day shortly
after dusk, the priest of the
temple dressed himself as a
lady carries a pot on his head
and starts a procession
accompanied by drum beats.
The pot that he balances on his
head is called the 'karaga'. He
walks for 12 miles and return to
the temple in the morning.
Kadalakeyi Parishe
The festival popularly known as
Ground nut festival among
Bangaloreans is held in Bull
Temple. Kadalekayi means
ground nut. The farmers of
Bangalore sell ground nuts near
Bull temple during this festival.
It is celebrated as a welcome
ceremony for the ground nut
crop during the month of
November-December. The
farmers seek the blessing of the
God during this time to help
them lead a prosperous life.
Ulsoor Palaki
Ulsoor Palaki, which falls in the
month of April, is a Floral Float
festival which is held at Ulsoor
during the Hindu month of
Chaitra. During this festival 108
floats are beautifully decorated
using flowers and taken for a
procession. The procession
starts around 10pm in the night
and is carried out till early
morning.
Makara Sankranthi or
Pongal
It is known as the harvest
festival. This day is celebrated
in South India as Pongal, while
Karnataka celebrate it as Makar
Sankranthi. Celebrated in the
month of January it also marks
the beginning of spring season.
On this day cows and bullocks
are decorated and are fed
'Pongal' a preparation made of
rice. People offer special pujas
and prayers in temples and
houses. Makar Sankranthi is
very significant for Gavi
Gangadhareshwara (Siva)
temple also. On this day the
sun's rays pass through the
horns of 'Nandi' bull and lights
the whole sanctum. This
phenomenon is an architectural
wonder and has never failed to
astonish the viewers.
Dussehra
Dussehra is unarguably the
most widely celebrated festival
in Karnataka. Dussehra or
Navratri is celebrated for ten
days in the month of September
or October . It is also called
'Nadahabba'. The festival is
celebrated with great pomp in
Mysore and the involvement of
Mysore Royal family makes it
all the more special. During the
celebration the Mysore Palace
is illuminated. The most
important attraction of the
festival is the procession that
carries Goddess
Chamundeswari. The
procession starts from the
Mysore Palace and heads
towards the Chamundi hills.
Hindus all over Karnataka
celebrates this festival with
great splendour.
Ugadi
Ugadi is celebrated as the
Kannnadiga's New Year. People
believe that Lord Brahma, the
creator of life according to
Hindu mythology, started the
work of creation on this day.
Lord Brahma is worshipped on
this day and predictions are
made for the New Year. People
start the preparation of the
festival one week in advance by
giving their home a thorough
clean and they do rigorous
shopping. This day is
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu
festival which is observed
throughout India. It is popularly
known as Vinayak Chaturthi and
marks the birth of Lord Ganesha.
Ganesh idols are made,
decorated and installed in streets
and homes and prayers are
offered every day. The festival is
celebrated for one, three, five, seven or ten days after which the
idols are taken to a procession and immersed in sea or river.
The festival falls between the August and September.
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