2,800 artistes to perform during 'Bengalooru Habba'

Bangalore, Nov 30 (UNI) About 2,800 artistes will perform in 50 different venues during 'Bengalooru Habba', the city's definitive cultural extravaganza from December three to ten, Kannada Culture Secretary I M Vittal Murthy said today.

Announcing the State Government's partnership to include 'Suvarna Karnatakakke Belli Habbada Samskruti Baagina' as part of a key initiative of 'Bengalooru Habba', he said the 'Habba' promised to be bigger and better this year with a distinctive regional flavour.

For the first time, it would be a folk, film and light classical extravaganza.

As a precursor to the festivities, the first ever all night Hindustani Mehfil would be held at Ravindra Kalakshetra here from 2200 hrs to 0600 hrs. Performers include renowned Hindustani vocalists Balekhan brothers, Sangita Katti, Kulkarni, Fayaaz Khan, Rajeev Taranath, Jayatheertha Mevundi and Kashinath Pattar, he said.

Artistes' Foundation for Arts (AFFA) Managing Trustee Nandini Alva said musical performances, dance, performance by IDL Blind Band, a premier musical band featuring visually challenged artistes, Janapada Sangeeta by J Siddaraju's 'Swarasangama' Yuva Janotsava- a folk dance by prize winning youth teams and 'Belli Paradeya Chinnada Haadugalu'- an extravaganza of golden oldies of the silver screen would be performed.

Mr V Venkatesh, Chief Operating Officer of Bharti Airtel Ltd, the main sponsor of 'Bengalooru Habba', said that during the 'Habba', Airtel would be launching exclusive 'Raagas' - an Airtel Easy Music card. The cards, a collection of Raagas as ring tones, would be promoted free of cost to all Airtel customers here who either buy a new connection or recharge with denominations of Rs 260 and above.

During the 'Habba', Airtel would also promote exclusive classical music as Hello tunes, ring tones on its voice portal free of cost.

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