Bengaluru shines as India's technology capital with a booming economy and countless opportunities. However, this massive, diverse city has struggled to build strong social and cultural connections among its residents. While tech parks and flyovers transformed the skyline, public spaces and cultural platforms faded into the background. These are the very places where people meet, interact, and celebrate shared identities.
The Birth of Soft Infrastructure
"This glaring gap inspired the concept of 'soft infrastructure'," explained Prashanth Prakash, co-founder of BLR Hubba. "We wanted to strengthen Bengaluru's social and cultural fabric." BLR Hubba is a cultural festival designed to bridge cultural divides while staying true to Bengaluru's spirit of new beginnings. Prakash shared insights in an interview ahead of BLR Hubba 2026.
What Sparked the BLR Hubba Idea?
The idea emerged three and a half years ago during work on Unboxing BLR. This collaborative platform highlights Bengaluru as a progressive, adaptable, multicultural hub. The team spoke with hundreds of people from various backgrounds over several months. They discovered widespread disconnection.
Long-time residents felt out of touch with Bengaluru's evolution. Newcomers lacked understanding of the city's culture, history, and social fabric. This realization prompted a search for more dynamic, inclusive, and continuous engagement methods. The team wanted something beyond a book. That quest for a public-facing, evolving platform gave birth to BLR Hubba.
Global Inspiration with Local Roots
"The Edinburgh Festival served as a major inspiration," noted Prakash. "In the Global North, large cultural festivals attract worldwide attention. The Global South lacks a single festival that brings everyone together on that scale."
Bengaluru has consistently led innovation—from the post-Independence public sector era to today's startup ecosystem. Prakash posed a compelling question: Why can't Bengaluru innovate in culture, art, and soft power too? Why can't it showcase what India offers the world?
The long-term vision is ambitious. In ten years, people might plan their travel to Bengaluru around this festival, similar to Edinburgh. However, BLR Hubba isn't about copying global models. It remains pan-Indian, future-facing, and inclusive while staying deeply rooted in Bengaluru's ethos as a city of new beginnings.
How BLR Hubba Differs from Existing Platforms
Bengaluru already boasts rich local festivals like Kadalekayi Parishe, Karaga, Ramanavami Music Festival, Chitra Santhe, and Food Street. The city's centuries-old history is deeply embedded in art, culture, and heritage. Outsiders often want to engage with this culture but don't know how. Meanwhile, people from across India bring their own traditions and creative expressions yet lack a common platform to showcase them.
Most existing platforms operate episodically and in silos. BLR Hubba synthesizes this multicultural diversity with a distinct Bengaluru flavor. It creates a cohesive experience that celebrates both local and imported traditions.
Enhanced Community Participation This Year
Neighborhood participation takes center stage this year. The festival introduces Raste Hubbas—hyperlocal street festivals that bring cultural activities directly to communities. This approach ensures broader, grassroots involvement.
Mobilizing Resources and Support
Resource mobilization isn't solely driven by Unbox Bengaluru. A crucial development was bringing urban evangelist V Ravichandar on board as chief mentor. Fundraising became a joint effort between Ravichandar and Prakash.
Prakash's venture funding background provided expertise in capital creation and networks. Many supporters—including Nandan Nilekani, Nikhil Kamath, Ranjan Pai, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw—came from overlapping networks both had built over years. JSW joined as anchor sponsor this year, with additional support from chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh.
BLR Hubba represents a bold attempt to address Bengaluru's social cohesion deficit. By creating inclusive cultural platforms, it aims to weave together the city's diverse threads into a stronger, more connected community fabric.
