BANGALORE: The Bengaluru Habba festival, scheduled to begin on Thursday, has been postponed, with security of Bengaluru citizens at public gatherings cited as the main concern by the organisers.

In a press statement, the organisers have said that for the security of the Bengaluru public in the wake of the recent terrorists' attack in Mumbai, the Government of Karnataka, Artistes' Foundation for the Arts (AFFA) and Airtel have taken a conscious decision to postpone the Bengaluru Habba 2008 for the time being.

While some reports say the festival will now be held in February 2009, AFFA trustees Nandini Alva and Padmini Ravi said, "In the current environment, public security has become more important than ever before. Taking into consideration the safety of Bengaluru citizens, who have been supporting us in large numbers for the last 5 years. Government of Karnataka, AFFA and Airtel have consciously decided to postpone Bengaluru Habba 2008 for the time being."

Further information on the rescheduled dates and time will be communicated to the public once the particulars are worked out, they added.