The festival will feature a vast display of banana diversity, including rare varieties, value-added products, banana fibre crafts, and banana-based cuisines.
| Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM
Sahaja Samrudha, in collaboration with the Keystone Foundation and its Using Diversity project, is organising a Banana Festival at Nanjaraj Bahadur Choultry in Mysuru on Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9, to celebrate and revive the rich banana heritage of the country.
The festival will feature a spectacular display of banana diversity, including rare varieties, value-added products, banana fibre crafts, and delicious banana-based cuisines.
According to the organisers, the world of bananas is vast and fascinating. From birth to death, bananas are an integral part of our lives, with hundreds of varieties differing in taste, colour, size, and stature. As the birthplace of bananas, India boasts an extraordinary range of native varieties. In the forests of the northeastern States, wild bananas still dominate the landscape, they added.
Karnataka is especially renowned for its banana diversity. Unique varieties such as Kamalapura Red Banana, Elakki Baale, Nanjangud Rasabaale, Kallu Baale, Naati Baale, Boodu Baale, Hampi Sugandhi, Sakkare Baale, Hulibaale, and Chukke Baale are native treasures.
The majestic Madarangi variety grows to impressive heights with stem-like pillars, while Kodagu’s Finger Banana resembles human fingers in shape. However, the spread of commercial varieties like Robusta and Cavendish have led to a steady decline in traditional banana types, a press release said.
Rare varieties
Prasad Rama Hegade from Sirsi, who conserves over 100 banana varieties, will exhibit unique types such as the Red Banana (where even the leaves and stem are red), Ice Cream Banana, Sahastra Baale, and Kadali. Likewise, Ravi Shankar B.P. from Hudur village, Ponnampet, Kodagu will display the rare Finger Banana. Rare varieties of banana suckers will also be available for sale, a press release said.
On Sunday, November 9, a children’s art competition will be conducted at 10.30 a.m. Children aged between five and 12 can participate and draw pictures under themes related to banana culture, cultivation, and uses. Bakahu Adda and Abhay Naturals will showcase innovative banana-based products, while Naveen Kumar, a banana value chain expert, will share his insights and experiences, the release added.
Organised by ICAR–JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur, a cooking contest on Sunday, November 9, at 12 p.m. invites food lovers to prepare banana-based dishes at home and bring them to the venue. For participation and registration, call 90086 03222.
Published – November 07, 2025 08:17 pm IST
