Canara Bank to Host Entrepreneurship and Arts Festival in Bengaluru

Canara Bank has announced Canara Utsav 2025, a notable three-day event aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, supporting women’s empowerment, and preserving India's cultural legacy. The exhibition is set to take place at the Rangoli Metro Art Centre on MG Road in Bengaluru from 19th to 21st September 2025, open to the public from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. Canara Utsav 2025 aims to inspire local makers and provide a new experience for attendees. Supporting makers and promoting small-scale enterprises and sustainability represents an important portion of the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) and wider community development framework. The focus is on creating opportunities beyond standard bank offerings.

Canara Utsav's main goal is to create a national stage for women (from Self-Help Groups - SHGs), local entrepreneurs, and artisan-skilled women who often operate in restricted local markets. As per one of the leading media houses, the bank's approach goes beyond financial inclusion to tangible social and cultural inclusion by linking these talented women to the urban markets. The exhibition market will be a colorful bazaar with a variety of handmade products. The visitors are expected to browse and shop organic food production, traditional sweets, intricately made pottery, and festive items like designer diyas and candles. The event will also include an organic food court introducing fresh, locally-sourced food to the visitors and live demos (i.e. pottery pot-making, sketching, etc.) emphasizing the art of the products on display.

The overall impact of such a program is significant. For participating artisans and entrepreneurs - especially women from SHGs - the event presents an urgent opportunity to gain visibility, reach new customers, and create substantial income that directly supports their livelihoods and local economies. Approaches and/or programs that rely on direct-to-consumer sales help to maintain traditional crafts that may not survive otherwise, and ensure the sustainability of India’s rich artisan heritage to present to future generations. Additionally, and critically, by building the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the local level, the festival supports the development of entrepreneur skills and knowledge, along with the creation of a more durable and self-sustaining network of economic actors. The Rangoli Metro Art Centre was a purposeful choice as well, as a popular cultural site in the city; it ensures excellent foot traffic and visibility to exhibitors.

In conclusion, we view Canara Utsav 2025 as more than a commercial exhibition; rather, it is a coordinated effort linking economic assistance with cultural sustainability. Through its CSR mandate, Canara Bank is playing the critical role of connecting rural artisans to urban markets, which aids in both community empowerment and enriching the cultural tapestry of the city. The event is expected to be a destination for people of all cultures across Bengaluru and beyond, especially for people seeking authentic products and wanting to be part of India's artistic heritage. Initiatives such as this illustrate the changing role of corporate organizations in India as they actively contribute to responsible and inclusive forms of economic growth.