Bengaluru, November 1: Azim Premji University, in collaboration with the Bangalore International Centre (BIC), is presenting Krishna to Kaveri: Celebrating the Confluences of Karnataka – a two-day annual cultural festival celebrating the rich cultural life nurtured by tens of rivers from Krishna to Kaveri, carriers of stories, traditions, and transformations. The second edition of this festival is being held at the Bangalore International Centre, Domlur, on November 1 and 2, 2025. coinciding with Kannada Rajyothsava Day.
Acclaimed filmmaker and writer Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar inaugurated the festival. Addressing the gathering he said, “This event reflects the social and cultural responsibility that Azim Premji Foundation has towards Kannada and Karnataka.” The Foundation is working in a decentralized manner in the fields of Education, Health, Art, Culture and social sectors in Karnataka. He commended efforts of The Azim Premji University.
Releasing a booklet about the event “Krishna to Kaveri” M.C. Ramesh, Chairperson – Karnataka Shilpa Kala Academy said it is our collective responsibility to promote the 2500-year-old rich heritage of Kannada and Karnataka. Vikram Bhat, Director, BIC welcomed everyone to the event. Sudheesh Venkatesh, Chief Communication Officer, Azim Premji Foundation, presented mementoes to guests and S.V Manjunath Associate Director, Kannada Initiatives, Azim Premji University, introduced the guests to the gathering. Performances of traditional Pooja Kunitha and Somana Kunitha, folk dances from the Old Mysuru region, performed by Sri Vinayaka Yuvakara Kala Balaga and a rendition of the NaaDa Geethe by students of the Suraaghavi Foundation preceded the inaugural ceremony.
A Hindustani vocal recital by Pt. Vinayaka Toravi and team enthralled audience in the opening concert, while Seema Karanth mesmerized listeners through her story telling of “The great story Hunt”. Catering to the growing non-Kannada speaking population of Bengaluru, “Kannada Gottilla” Arpit Kumar did a crash course in spoken Kannada. A quiz program “Sutta Mutta Gottaa?” was conducted by Tejasvi Udupa.
A magic performance called “An afternoon of Magic” was conducted by Inesh Shenoy, Ishanth Senoy, Prahalad Acharya and Nakul Shenoy. Beeso Hadu -Songs of Labor by Shilpa Mudbi Kothakota and Kalaburgi Kala mandali entertained the audience. A multimedia tribute to Da.Ra.Bendre “Pratibimba” was presented by Srimata, Sadhanakeri, Dharawada. Finally, audience grooved to the music of time travel through a century of Bengaluru’s beats- 100 years of grooving by Berty, Radha Krishnan, Hari, Steve, Divya, Prithwin, and Swamy.
