BLR Hubba is increasingly feeling less like a scheduled festival and more like a shared city rhythm. As the event enters its final stretch, audience turnout continues to grow, with Friday unfolding as one of the most layered and immersive days of the Hubba so far.

The day began on a reflective note at Alliance Française, where Futures Hubba hosted a full spectrum of conversations. Discussions moved seamlessly from geopolitics and diplomacy with Philip Green to futures literacy, feminist infrastructure, regenerative economics and ethical imagination. These ideas later found resonance in sound and performance, as Resonant Futures, an immersive transmedia set, closed the day on a contemplative, inward-looking note.

Across the city, BLR Hubba’s strength showed in how evenly its energy was distributed. In Malleshwaram, Hogona, the guided history and culture walk, encouraged participants to revisit familiar streets with renewed attention. VV Puram’s food walk once again underlined Bengaluru’s deep connection with culinary memory, drawing steady footfall through the evening.

Long-format engagement remained a key feature of the day. At Sabha, workshops such as The Fool: Presence, Play & Poetic Clownfusion held participants through extended sessions, while Freedom Park stayed visually alive from morning to night with art installations that continued to evolve as audiences moved through the space.

Friday evening brought a strong theatre and music spine to the programme. The Nether by Aasakta Kalamanch, Pune, held audiences at the Prestige Centre for Performing Arts, while Shoorpanakha: A Search at NGMA offered a quieter, introspective counterpoint. Folk traditions travelled across regions, from Bengal’s Ruuh-Bakhsh at Freedom Park to Karnataka’s own classical and theatrical forms presented at the Indian Heritage Academy, IIWC, Yuvapatha and ADA Rangamandira. Kannada performances, in particular, ran deep into the evening, grounded and assured.

As night settled in, anticipation built steadily at Freedom Park. Audiences gathered early at the Watch Tower for The Manganiyar Seduction, one of the most awaited performances of this year’s Hubba, transforming folk music into a collective, almost ritual experience.

With Friday behind it, BLR Hubba now moves into its final two days, coinciding with the long weekend beginning January 24  traditionally the festival’s most attended phase.

Saturday opens early with heritage walks through Cantonment and Ulsoor, followed by a packed day of workshops, drawing sessions and neighbourhood trails. By evening, Freedom Park once again becomes the musical anchor, moving from Reimagining the Jazz Standard to Echoes of Shakti, and culminating in Resist the Erosion, a world premiere that closes the Watch Tower stage late into the night.

Dance takes centre stage across venues, from Stand-Up Natyam at Panchavati and Pi Thadoi at NGMA to Footprints in Blood and a post-10 pm midnight dance gathering at Sabha. Kannada programming continues to hold strong through theatre, music and talks at Yuvapatha, Indian Heritage Academy and IIWC, while Rasthe Hubba spills into neighbourhood streets across Mahadevpura and Panduranga Nagar through the afternoon and evening.

With only two days left, BLR Hubba now feels less like an itinerary and more like a lived experience, one that rewards lingering, wandering and staying back just a little longer.

Full programme details and passes are available on the BLR Hubba website.

The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced the onboarding of Tree of Life Sariska Manor in Tehla, Rajasthan. The property joins the group as a conversion project under the Tree of Life brand.

Commenting on the development, Ms. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – New Businesses and Hotel Openings, IHCL, said, “Sariska, nestled in the lap of nature offers guests an accessible getaway to experience the relaxed pace of life.We are delighted to welcome Sariska Manor into the Tree of Life brand. This resort, a well-established landmark in the destination embodies the brand ethos, with a design that harmonizes seamlessly with its natural surroundings and the rich cultural fabric of the region."

Located in Tehla, the setting reflects the legacy of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and serves as a natural entry point to one of Rajasthan’s most diverse ecological zones. Tree of Life Sariska Manor features 26 rooms, designed to offer guests a calm and immersive stay connected to the surrounding landscape.

The resort’s culinary offerings include Antler’s, the indoor multi-cuisine restaurant, The Sparrows, an open-air dining space that embraces the natural setting, and Leopard’s Lair, a lounge designed for quiet and unhurried evenings. Recreational facilities at the property include a swimming pool and spa, along with cycling trails, nature walks, and visits to nearby cultural sites. These experiences allow guests to explore the region’s natural and historic layers at a relaxed pace.

With this addition, IHCL continues to strengthen its Tree of Life portfolio, focusing on destinations that offer a strong sense of place, nature-led experiences, and thoughtfully designed stays.

Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Summit Signature Retreat Pangthang in Gangtok, marking the group’s entry into the retreat hotel segment in the state of Sikkim. The 38-room property is perched on a hilltop in Pangthang and offers unobstructed views of the Eastern Himalayas, with Mount Kanchenjunga visible from the resort.

Surrounded by pine tree plantations and natural mountain landscapes, Summit Signature Retreat Pangthang is designed for travellers seeking peace, seclusion, and a slower, more immersive travel experience. Although the property is within driving distance of Gangtok’s main township, its elevated hilltop location ensures a calm setting, away from the activity of the city.

Commenting on the launch, Sumit Mitruka, Founder & Managing Director, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, “Gangtok and the surrounding region are seeing growing interest from travellers who are looking for deeper engagement with nature and a strong sense of place, beyond conventional sightseeing. Summit Signature Retreat Pangthang reflects our evolving approach to destination-led hospitality in the mountains, where wellness, environment, and local context come together in a subtle and thoughtful manner. This opening strengthens our presence in the Northeast and aligns with our long-term vision of developing distinctive destination hotels.”

The property features 38 rooms across multiple categories, including superior rooms, deluxe rooms, premium suites, attic suites, and luxury suites. All rooms are designed with private balconies, offering uninterrupted views of the Himalayan landscape. Select suites also include separate living and dining areas, making them suitable for longer stays. In line with the region’s climate and sustainability considerations, rooms do not include air conditioning or minibars.

Wellness forms a key part of the retreat experience. Summit Signature Retreat Pangthang houses a dedicated spa offering specialised treatments, along with thoughtfully designed spaces for yoga and meditation. These facilities are aimed at providing guests with rest and rejuvenation, enhanced by the calm surroundings and expansive mountain views.

Dining at the retreat includes a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves regional Sikkimese flavours along with Indian and international dishes. Guests can also unwind at the sun deck overlooking Kanchenjunga. For events and gatherings, the property offers a banquet hall spanning approximately 5,000 square feet, with the capacity to accommodate over 500 guests. The space is suitable for destination events, retreats, and intimate social functions.

Summit Signature Retreat Pangthang is part of the Summit Signature Series, a segment within the group’s portfolio that focuses on experience-driven properties with elevated design, service, and contextual immersion. With this launch, Summit Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its presence in the Northeast, catering to leisure travellers, wellness seekers, and small groups exploring Sikkim and the Eastern Himalayas.