The season of festivities is here and Namma Bengaluru is bustling with events and performances that you absolutely cannot miss! We begin with Dussehra or Navarathri, celebrating ten days of festivities filled with great food and events greater music, and dance, and transition into Diwali or Deepavali where each household in the city is lit with light and happiness!
In Karnataka, Dasara/Dusshera is celebrated lavishly. Mysuru Dasara is one of the most prominent celebrations in the state with an illuminated palace, cultural performances, local stalls, and food that fills your soul. It’s one of the best places to go with your family and friends to immerse yourself in the culture of our land. While we cannot bring the grand procession with the royal elephant/ambari to Bengaluru, we can still bring the festivities and vibrancy of the mela!
This year, our annual event in Bengaluru, Deepavali Sante, is doubling up its celebration with a fusion of Dasara and Deepavali!
What is Deepavali Sante?
Deepavali Sante is an ode to the cultural roots of Karnataka and traditional celebrations that have been lost in the growth of the modern world.
While the easiest industry name would be ‘flea market with performances’, it’s a lot more than just that. The main significance of the Sante is to bring the community together to celebrate the little joys of life.
It’s an attempt at creating core memories for the audiences who come with their friends and families. To play and win against each other, to buy handmade trinkets and home decor from local vendors, to devour food that tastes like your grandma’s, and to swing and vibe to folk art and incredible artists.
This year, Deepavali Sante is being celebrated as a Dusshera celebration in Bangalore on October 5th, at The Tamarind Tree. Read on to find out what performances you can watch and whose music you’ll be dancing to!
Who is It for?
Deepavali Sante is for kids, young adults, adults, seniors and everyone in between!
With physical games stalls, diverse merchandise stalls, scrumptious food stalls, and a brilliant lineup of performances, everyone is the family has something to keep them entertained.
Bring your friends and family to experience what an actual sante/mela/flea market looked and felt like.
When does Deepavali Sante begin?
The Sante begins early at 10 AM. Since there are lots of stalls and lots of games to play, we suggest you come down early and make the most of your day. The event ends with the DJ night at 10 PM.
Deepavali Sante Line Up:
All the performers in Deepavali Sante are handpicked because of their connection to the art of our homeland. Each show is dedicated to a cultural art form or has significance in history.
While folk performances will take place during the first half of the day, the latter is dedicated to two bands born in Bangalore. Below are the folk art forms, most of them native to Karnataka, and the story behind each of them:
Veeragase
Veeragase literally translates to ‘heroic acts’ or ‘brave deeds’ in Kannada. It is a folk performance that pays tribute to the historical figures and freedom fighters in Karnataka’s history. The show commemorates the valors and sacrifices that these individuals made for their motherland. It’s a performance steeped in culture, showcasing patriotism, cultural heritage, and historical significance.
The artists come dressed in costumes and jewelry that were worn by the kings and fighters. It’s a show that’s captivating to all your senses.
Dollu Kunitha
A popular folk art that is native to the temples of ancient Karnataka, a performance of Dollu Kunitha will life your spirits like none other. Dollu Kunitha translates to a dance of the drums where artists dressed in vibrant attires beat on drums in synchronized rhythm while they twist and turn and dance around each other. These artists even form a human pyramid while performing the drums. Often performed in cultural events, this art form is a pride of Karnataka and a loud one!
Yakshagana
This dance-drama that originated in the coastal regions of Karnataka is one of the most captivating performances that you will ever watch. The performance has everything from music, dance, costume, makeup, and dialogue to stage techniques that have been in play for hundreds of years. Often narrating stories of yore or mythological plays like Mahabharata and Ramayana, the art of Yakshagana is both entertaining and educational to young and adults alike!
Singarimelam
This energetic and synchronized percussion ensemble that is also native to temples is a folk art that originated in Kerala and coastal Karnataka. Tap your feet and move your bodies to the unstoppable beats of the Chenda(drum) used in this folk art form. Singarimelam or Chendamelam are also an integral part of weddings in South West India and a familiar sound that doesn’t let you remain still on your feet.
Two sensational Bengaluru-based bands will be setting the stage on fire as we approach the night.
Beat Gurus
Those familiar with the Bengaluru Ganesha Utsava need no introduction to this energetic and vibrant band. The Beat Gurus specialize in percussion, playing instruments like the Djembe and Darbooka, and fusing Indian and African rhythms with the Didgeridoo. With over ten years of experience, they have performed at corporate and cultural events worldwide, including major media events on ETV Kannada, NDTV, and BBC. They were officially tied up with RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) in 2013 and have participated in international events in Malaysia, Thailand, and Qatar.
Barfi
The sensational desi rock band will be the highlight of your night on Deepavali Sante.
With a rich history of performances on India’s grandest stages and even international platforms, Barfi has captivated audiences worldwide. Their electrifying energy and soulful melodies have made waves, with YouTube videos going Viral.
Their recent show was for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Get ready to sing and dance along with Barfi!
While we know it is extremely hard, try not to tire your feet out with the above two performances as the night ends on a high note with a DJ adding a cherry on top of the cake. Dusshera is incomplete if you haven’t danced your heart out!
Deepavali Sante is one of the only Dasara festival events in Bangalore that celebrates the authentic culture and tradition of Karnataka.
The entire event comes together with the involvement of the local community of vendors who put up stalls to sell their merchandise and food. We’re giving you a reason to get dressed and come to a place where it’s a celebration all day long. Have you booked your tickets yet?
