Blending art and passion at Bengaluru FC matches

Bengaluru: After a long week at work, a sports aficionado in Bengaluru would willingly trade his money for a ticket to watch his favourite football team. It’s no longer just about the game; now, fans can savour the sight of vibrant banners that amplify their support for the team. These banners, crafted by art enthusiasts, represent a creative blend of artistic expression and football passion, with the sport emerging as the ultimate winner. Bengaluru FC, popularly known as the Blues, is riding high in the Indian Super League (ISL).

Their impressive record playing in front of fans (P12, W8, L1 in 2024) attests to the strong bond between players and supporters. Adding another dimension to this connection is the artistic flair brought in to inspire the players and fuel their quest for victory. For Vivek Gowda, a West Block regular at Bangalore Football Stadium, Bengaluru FC’s stellar performances offered an opportunity to channel his love for the team.

Reflecting on the era following the dominance of HAL and ITI football teams, he said: “We remember winning the I-League in our first season and moving to the Kanteerava Stadium the next year. With the growing fan base, we felt banners were the best way to motivate the players, and we decided to act on it.” The inspiration for this fusion of art and football came from European fans’ use of pop culture.

“We adopted the famous line, ‘Let the force be with you,’” Vivek recalled. College students and corporate employees form the core of these banner-making initiatives. “Employee funding worked beautifully for us, and college students put in the time to create these banners,” he said, adding that the effort was well worth it. Their creativity went viral after Bengaluru FC’s emphatic 4-2 win against Kerala Blasters. The standout banner in the West Block featured a trophy atop a Gandaberunda, with the text “Trophies speak louder than words,” symbolising the team’s legacy.

Opposite this was another striking banner, depicting the celebrated Chalukya King Immadi Pulikeshi, sword drawn and ready to confront enemy ships. This artwork was created by BFC Hudugaru, another fan group keen on showcasing Kannada pride. One of the Hudugaru members, Mohith, explained: “We designed the Pulakeshi banner to celebrate the rich history and cultural pride of Karnataka. Pulakeshi, as a symbol of strength and resilience, was the perfect tribute during the Kerala Blasters match. It was our way of expressing love for Bengaluru FC while staying rooted in our heritage.” The group is keen to expand this initiative, bringing in icons like Madakari Nayaka and film star Yash to further energise their efforts. “After all, we are showcasing the spirit of Namma Ooru, Namma Team, Namma Bengaluru,” Mohith concluded.