Folk in the East and the West

By Shruti Chakraborty 

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Bangalore's cultural scene came alive one cold-ish evening at Freedom Park during BLR Hubba. In a city full of hustle, BLR Hubba acts as a strong force for cultural preservation, bringing back folk traditions that could easily disappear. We experienced an amazing night with Ruuh Baksh and Manganiyar Seduction shows that went beyond entertainment. It pulled us into India's folk music, showing us why we need to protect these roots in modern Bengaluru.

The night started strong with Ruuh Baksh, blending Bengali and Hindi folk music. Their music told stories of rural life, calling up misty Bengal rivers and baul songs. Satyaki Banerjee was the highlight. His raw, powerful voice filled the air like a fresh monsoon breeze, even though it was January. Favourites included "O Mon Kothay," a moving baul song about a searching soul, and "Yamuna Kinare," with its warm Hindi folk rhythm of riverside longing. Under the park's open sky, these songs got everyone moving, forgetting their phones in the moment (except for videography). It felt like a living history book, keeping old stories alive. In Bangalore, where skyscrapers block out anything folk, events like this connect city folks to their homes.

Next up was the Manganiyar Seduction, a stunning performance that truly changed how we see life. The Rajasthani group, dressed in bright turbans and flowy white clothes, delivered strings and beats with flair. The setup was brilliant: it began with soft eastern folk, harmoniums like gentle desert winds, then built to the bold energy of the manganiyar style. The highlight was Devu Sir performing a solo with the Kartaal. Every single performer on stage was absolutely brilliant.  The staging made it magical: performers moved as one, like a living picture of the Desert. It was life-changing, linking us to ancient travelling singers.

BLR Hubba shines in Bangalore by preserving culture. Freedom Park, a spot from colonial days, now hosts these acts, fighting back against urban growth and digital distractions that bury folk arts. It highlights talents from different regions. Bengali tunes meet Rajasthani beats, creating unity in Karnataka's mix of people. These aren't dusty relics; they're alive and growing, pushing new artists to blend old ways with fresh ideas. In a forward-rushing city, nights like this prove our history fuels the future.

The last notes left the crowd buzzing with excitement. BLR Hubba shows Bangalore is more than Silicon Valley; it's a hub of culture.