Bengaluru: Amid traffic snarls and notification pings, the residents of Bengaluru briefly pressed pause on city life as Suggi Huggi unfolded as a celebration of Karnataka’s harvest traditions. The community Sankranti event, organised by revenue minister and Byatarayanapura MLA Krishna Byre Gowda at Jakkur Grounds, recreated the feel of a village fair, blending folk rituals, music, theatre and traditional games.On its second day, the grounds came alive early with rashi puje, pongal preparation, and public distribution of the harvest dish. Children participated in drawing and rangoli competitions, while kabaddi finals and tug-of-war contests kept spectators engaged through the afternoon. Folk performances and village games continued alongside the livestock exhibition, drawing steady footfall. Evenings featured curated performances, including music by Rahul-Sara Music School and a Bharatanatyam recital by Adwith Shashidhar, with ‘18 Days of Mahabharata’, by Prabhath Arts International, standing out as the festival centrepiece.
MS Krishna, 58, retired HR professional, Yelahanka, said: “This is a wonderful chance to relive village life. The presence of livestock, traditional activities, and open spaces makes it refreshing. People living in cities should come and experience this — it’s a much-needed pause from busy urban life.”Swathi S, 34, a techie from Hebbal, said: “Folk art, traditional performances, and even the food remind me of younger days. Unlike regular melas, some elements here are rare. Watching children play and folk dances being performed reminds us of our childhood. With so much Western influence today, folk culture is slowly disappearing, and this festival gives it a platform to revive.”Chaithra N, 30, techie from Agara Layout, said: “I studied in Kannada-medium schools and grew up singing janapada geethas and participating in village dramas. As we become more modern, we realise how much we miss our roots. No matter how urban our lives become, the connection to our culture and traditions always remains.”Seetharam D, 73, and Prasanna Kumari, 70, brother and sister from Thanisandra, said: “We came here to relax and enjoy traditional food made with ingredients like avarekai. My brother came from the US, and we wanted him to experience the cultural side we grew up with. This brought back many childhood memories.”Manjunath RM, farmer from Devanahalli (Mandibelle), said: “Farmers are extremely important to the nation, and city residents should understand our work, cattle rearing, and daily struggles. Events like this help people develop interest in agriculture and respect farming as a profession, which benefits us in many ways.”Gupthini N, Sneha A, Punyashree TN, and Punyashree N, friends from Kodihehalli, said: “The dances, decorations, and games beautifully showcase the spirit of Sankranti. Events like kabaddi and pot-breaking add to the excitement. For us, this was a first-time experience, and it was truly enjoyable to be here with friends.”Sharat Prabhath, director of Prabhath Arts, said: “Bengaluru rarely sees events that are deeply invested in culture and classical arts. Being part of this festival is special because our production, ‘18 Days’, based on the Mahabharata, involves 50–60 artists and even live horses. Connecting with epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata helps people rediscover their roots, which is why such cultural celebrations are vital.“
