This time, head to National College grounds for Ganesha Utsava

Bengaluru’s premier Ganesha Utsava is back with a twist. The 54th Bengaluru Ganesha Utsava (BGU) will see artistes from India and across the globe performing, from September 5.

The event, which will go on till September 15, is being organised at the National College grounds in Basavanagudi, instead of the APS College grounds, where it was held in previous years. The Utsava is organised by the Shree Vidyaranya Yuvaka Sangha. The highlight of this year is that the main mantapa is a replica of the kalyani (temple pond) at Melkote in Mandya district.

Nandish S M, managing trustee of BGU, told DH that the mantapa measures 150 feetx120 feet and has been constructed by artistes from Pratirupi company. “It took three months to construct the mantapa. Keeping pace with time, BGU is getting innovative. For the first time in India, world-renowned Berklee Indian Ensemble (part of Berklee College of Music, USA) will render ‘A tribute to A R Rahman,’ along with other compositions on September 6,” Nandish said.

A few other highlights of this year’s festival are performances by Shaan, Bappi Lahari, drum jam by Ranjit Barot and a musical tribute to S Janaki by an all-woman band led by Sunitha Murali and Supriya Raghunandan. For lovers of instrument music, there is a percussion ensemble by Beat Gurus, the Basuri Band by Raj Chandran and violin duet by Boston Brothers – Tejas and Pranav Manjunath.

Along with the musical bonanza, food lovers can treat themselves to a variety of delectable dishes at the ‘Aromas of Karnataka - Food Utsava’ that will be held at the same venue. For more information and full schedule of the programmes, log on to www.bgu.co.in.