Bengaluru: Marking a celebration of Karnataka’s rich culinary legacy, MTR has brought back its flagship cultural and food festival, Karunadu Swada 2026, with a vibrant inauguration at Jayamahal Palace on April 24. The event was formally opened by Maheshwar Rao M, Chief Commissioner, GBA and Administrator of all Bengaluru city corporations.
Blending food, tradition and storytelling, this year’s edition revolves around the theme ‘the story before the recipe’, placing a spotlight on indigenous ingredients and the narratives behind them. The opening evening offered a curated culinary journey across six distinct regions of Karnataka-Uttara Karnataka, Kalyana Karnataka, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Hale Mysuru-featuring over 75 dishes that ranged from timeless favourites to rare, nearly forgotten recipes.
Conceptualised by MTR’s culinary team in collaboration with home cooks, the festival underscores the importance of hyper-local and seasonal produce. A unique framework-“One Region. One Unique Ingredient. One Forgotten Recipe”-anchors the experience, with each region also presenting a traditional summer beverage rooted in local climate wisdom.
Adding depth to the celebration, MTR unveiled the second edition of its coffee table book, “The Story Before the Recipe,” which documents the ingredients and culinary traditions that define Karnataka’s diverse food landscape.
The evening also saw a cultural highlight with musician Vasu Dixit unveiling a specially composed ‘Sambar Song’. Performed live, the piece paid tribute to the iconic dish, capturing its emotional resonance and everyday significance in South Indian households.
Speaking at the event, MTR CEO Sunay Bhasin noted that the festival continues to strengthen the brand’s longstanding commitment to preserving regional food traditions while introducing them to newer audiences.
Beyond gastronomy, the festival features a rich cultural programme, including folk and classical performances, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into Karnataka’s artistic heritage.
With an expected footfall of over 3,000 visitors across two days, Karunadu Swada 2026 reinforces its place as one of Bengaluru’s most anticipated celebrations of food and culture.
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