The Indian toy tale: Forum South BLR Fest brings heritage, music and rewards together

BENGALURU: A 40-foot giant doll will take centre stage at the fourth edition of Forum South BLR Fest 2026, as Forum South Bengaluru brings India’s traditional toy-making heritage into a contemporary retail setting through themed installations, live music and festive shopping rewards worth up to Rs 4 crore.

Titled The Indian Toy Tale, the festival draws inspiration from indigenous toys and regional art forms, including Karnataka’s lacquered wooden toys from Channapatna, Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur dolls and Kerala’s Tholpavakoothu shadow puppetry. The installations aim to showcase the craftsmanship and cultural identities associated with these traditions while offering visitors an immersive mall experience.

The 40-foot doll is designed to evoke the wonder of encountering a toy larger than life, encouraging visitors to reconnect with childhood nostalgia and the joy associated with traditional playthings.

“With The Indian Toy Tale, we wanted to bring India’s rich toy-making traditions into a contemporary space where people can discover and engage with them in a new way,” said Forum Malls, Prestige Group CEO Muhammad Ali.

Traditional toys carry stories of regional craftsmanship, culture and shared experiences across generations, he added. The festival aims to make these art forms accessible to contemporary audiences while creating a distinctive festive destination for families in Bengaluru.

The festival will feature South Indian playback singers Ananya Bhat, known for her work in the KGF franchise, and Sooraj Santhosh, who received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Playback Singer in 2016.

Their performances will bring together regional film music and independent sounds as part of the festival’s entertainment programme.

Alongside the cultural and musical attractions, Forum Rewards will offer shoppers prizes and gifts worth up to Rs 4 crore.

Customers spending Rs 7,500 will be eligible for a chance to win a one-gram gold coin, while those spending Rs 75,000 or more can access assured home appliances, participate in daily lucky draws and enter the bumper-prize draw. Eligible shoppers will also receive assured gift vouchers. All rewards are subject to the programme’s terms and conditions.

With The Indian Toy Tale, Forum South Bengaluru is combining regional craftsmanship, family entertainment and retail incentives in an effort to create a distinctive addition to the city’s festive calendar.