When HABBA came calling

When HABBA came calling
Megha Shenoy
The Bengaluru Habba was not all that popular with the people in the City. Metrolife finds out why

Come Bengaluru Habba and for ten whole days, the City used to be abuzz with events and festivities taking place all over. Moreover, when the habba first began in 2002, it added its own appeal to the celebration. But this year from the very beginning, the habba seems to have missed out on something — the audience response. The City has always been receptive to any sort of cultural programme — be it dance, music or theatre.

When Metrolife did a round-up of the City after the inauguration, it witnessed that the habba had received a lukewarm attendance for many events. While some, like the Bengaluru Mandis launch or the Evam’s play did get a decent attendance, others barely saw any people. Ranga Shankara, that usually attracts a houseful for most of its plays, saw around 60 people for the English play by Signdance Collective. Out of this about 20 people left after the interval. Despite inviting dignitaries of yesteryear of the Kannada film industry, the literary seminar on Kannada Chalanachitra - 75 Varusha at Yavanika, saw around seven to eight people, apart from those who were present to speak. In fact, the Kavi Gosti that was supposed to be held on February 16 at the same venue got cancelled at the last minute due to no attendance. But compared to the inauguration, the finale did receive more number of people.

So what went wrong? What lacked in this year’s habba that people simply didn’t respond? “Habba is something I have always looked forward to as they portray a large variety of artistes that otherwise we hardly get to see,” says Trilok Nanda, who had come for the finale with his friends. “But what was really disappointing was the ‘availability’ of free passes. Just imagine, I had to chase around the City for a free pass,” he adds. Non-availability of the free passes was a common complaint from many people. Though the entry for all events was free, many high profile events required a certain ‘free pass’ to get inside but many disappointed fans had to return home as they couldn't get hold of one.

Another factor that troubled a lot of people was the sudden announcement of the festival itself. “There was a lack of publicity. Before I knew, the habba ended. I hardly got to go for any of the events that I wanted to, as I didn’t know when and where they were being held,” said Emily. Sapna, on the other hand, felt she didn’t get enough time to attend the events. “Many of them were very late in the night and we had to get back to work early in the morning, hence, I had to skip many events that took place during the week days.” Many also added that if there was one aspect they would change about the habba, it would be the chief guest at the inauguration, “I would have enjoyed more if there was a chief guest, who was not a politician,” said Arun, who only attended the concerts of the festival.

What was heartening about the habba was that it was conceptualised with an aim to offer something for every section of the public, but for some or the other reason, it never seemed to fulfil that for many people in the City.