Things to do at weekends in Bengaluru

There’s a lot more to Bengaluru than its pubs and breweries. Tourists should not only visit the city’s watering holes but also explore its rich culture. This is the crux of the state government’s latest move to redefine the Brand Bengaluru. 

Taking the budget announcement forward, the government has directed the Tourism and Kannada and Culture departments to prepare plans on how best the local culture can be showcased. 

The government wants to expand the Brand Bengaluru beyond the Pub Capital of India element. “This is not what Bengaluru is all about. There is nothing much for people to do during weekends. We do not want to shed the Pub Capital image, but want to add more elements,” government sources said. 

Cultural shows

One of the ways to make the city more vibrant, said Priyanka Mary Francis, Director, Department of Tourism, is to create museum and music circuits along with weekend cultural shows. 

The department is drawing a plan by roping in KPMG, the global professional service company, to host night-long mythological and historical theatre plays during weekends. Folk music shows on the lines of rock shows, Yakshagana performances and dramas are also on the cards. 

Janapada Jatre 

The chief minister’s budget speech spoke about holding Jatres (fairs) across Karnataka, including in Bengaluru. But the two departments are not keen on holding the Janapada Jatre because of traffic congestion on Bengaluru roads. A traditional Jatre would comprise Goravara Kunitha, Veeragase, Dollu Kunitha, Pata Dance, Thamate and Jaggalige drums. 

B H Anil Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Kannada and Culture Department, said Jatres could potentially block traffic on the city’s roads. That’s why the focus is on other activities that attract the youth. 

Events with limited reach

According to Kumar, cultural shows are happening in the city but they are organised by private organisations or individuals, limiting their reach and scope. Besides, they hardly attract youth.