Airtel Bengalooru Habba 2007 Set to Rock State Capital           

Report and pics from Akash Poojari Polali
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (mb)

Bangalore, Nov 27: Airtel Bengalooru Habba 2007, Bengalooru's biggest cultural festival which celebrates the spirit of Bengalooru, will be held from November 30 to December 9, 2007.

This year, the festival will focus on promoting cultural talent in a larger way than before.

This years Habba promises to be bigger and better with a very distinctive regional, Karnataka flavour and added attractions including sports.

Addressing the media, Nandini Alva and Padmini Ravi, trustees of Artistes' Foundation for the Arts (AFFA), which is organizing Airtel Bengalooru Habba 07, said: "Every year we try to create newer and newer activities at the festival. This year we expect high participation from the people of the Bengalooru from all walks of life. Happening every year, this festival not only celebrates the spirit of Bangalore, but also is a key platform to showcase talent, be it dance, music and the like."

State's Kannada and culture secretary I M Vittalamurthy said: "Karnataka and Kannada have created some of the best cultural and traditions in the country. WE are glad that a festival like the Airtel Bengalooru Habba 07 is able to channelize these traditional art forms and showcase them to the urban populace. The government is happy to be associated with this festival. We feel that a city festival like Airtel Bengalooru Habba creates a great platftrm to not only promote tourism in the city, but also helps in showcasing the rich cultural and heritage of our State."
 
Padmini Ravi added: "We are training Kids from 25 government schools by teaching them dance and the best 5 Schools will be given a chance to perform on stage. We will also have a swimming competition heald by renowned swimmer Nisha Millet."    
 
CEO of Airtel Karnataka Venkatesh and Chitrakala Parishat President Prabhakar were also present at the press conference held in the Chitrakala Parishat premises on Monday.

Speculation is around that music director A R Rehman and percussionist Sivamani will perform together at the Palace Grounds during an evening dedicated to Bollywood.