The weekend began with a very interesting lecture at the Bangalore National Gallery of Modern Art, which opened just before we left Bangalore in 2009. It is a very beautiful old building, on a large piece of property in the centre of the city.

The lecture was hosted by Tasveer, and given by a well-known photographer Karen Knorr.

Saturday was the 20th annual Karnataka Craft Council exhibition, which was opened by the famous Mrs Big B - Jaya Bachan.

The inauguration was well attended, with many women in a spectacular array of saris arriving early. The Indian interest in and respect for the film industry was well-illustrated by the frenzy of her arrival, and the large number of camera phones in use, along with the bevy of professional news photographers.

During the inauguration ceremony, a puppet re-enactment of the garnishing of Ganesh was put on using traditional puppets.

Once the ceremony was over, it was a total free for all to get into the exhibition, view the textiles on display, and spend, spend, spend!