At Adarsh Palm Retreat (APR), jasmine garlands, candles, haldi-kumkum welcomes and low seating set the scene for a baithak-style evening. Reality show finalist Koyel Mukherjee performed songs and ghazals for 135 people, with many joining in. Resident Kiran Harjani said the music brought back childhood memories of singing with her father.
Across Bengaluru, residents are turning homes and community spaces into intimate cultural venues. These gatherings offer opportunities to enjoy performances, meet neighbours and spend time together without travelling across the city.
APR resident Kiran Grover Adlakha, a Google employee and co-founder of Marasim Entertainment, plans to extend the format to Prestige Lakeside Habitat, Prestige Shantiniketan and Sobha Meadows. Music will remain central to upcoming events, with theatre a possibility later. Her aim is to encourage connections that continue beyond the performance.
At Purva Seasons in CV Raman Nagar, actor and communication consultant Vatsala Shrivastava hosts artists for audiences of 40–60. Inspired by creative discussions organised by her writer father in their Patna home, she provides the venue, tea and snacks without earning from the events. Attendees pay artists directly.
Her curated invitations reach neighbours, school contacts, professional acquaintances and artists, with consistently full attendance. She favours interactive solo plays and small productions that encourage conversation. A November musical evening is planned with Anuradha Sivarajan, covering ghazals, Bollywood, folk, classical, Bengali and Western songs.
For attendee Rashmi Sharma, an engineering director from Rishikesh, nearby theatre means avoiding traffic while her 11-year-old daughter plays with friends. Coffee beforehand and thoughtful discussions afterwards enrich the experience. Artist and curator Mansee Shah also works in intimate spaces, including playback theatre, where performers immediately enact stories shared by audience members.
Musician Manasi Prasad values the direct interaction and room for experimentation these settings allow. Singer Sutirth Mukherjee, known as M Tirtho, highlights how audiences become participants through singing and rhythm. At Pebbles Bay in Dollar’s Colony, startup founder Sudarshan Gopalan appreciates watching someone move from sharing chai to performing. Enthusiast Kshitij similarly values the closeness and conversations that help strangers become friends.
GoodHood Take: A living room or shared hall can give neighbours a reason to spend meaningful time together. These gatherings show how supporting artists close to home can also create space for conversation, participation and lasting friendships.
Read full story here : The Times of India, TNN