Mysuru Dasara has become more meaningful with poet K.S. Nisar Ahmed inaugurating the festivities this time, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, after the poet of ‘Jogada Siri Belakinalli’ fame gave a start to Nada Habba by showering flower petals on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari on a misty Thursday morning atop the Chamundi Hills here.
The Nadoja littérateur, who was accompanied by his wife and other members of the family, earlier visited the Chamundeshwari temple along with Mr. Siddaramaiah and other invitees. The beating of drums by folk artistes rent the air as several hundreds turned up to witness the tradition unfolding. The poet said Dasara is one festival that is celebrated by the people of all faith. “It’s a common man’s festival. What’s unique about Dasara is that it is State-sponsored. I consider today’s Dasara moment as the most memorable day in my life,” said the poet.
The choice of Mr. Ahmed for the inauguration follows the rich tradition of eclectic personalities — ranging from seers to scientists and rationalists besides poets — being invited by the government. N.S. Rangaraju, retired professor, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Mysore, who has been observing Dasara since the 1960s, said, “It was the first time a member of a minority community was invited to inaugurate Dasara. It is a good gesture.” Mr. Siddaramaiah said he had asked the district administration to scale up the celebrations, with the State being blessed with bountiful rains recently. “Kabini dam has reached its full-reservoir level, and I hope the KRS and the Hemavati dam in the Cauvery belt are also filled up to their full levels. This is the first time in the recent past that Kabini dam has filled up in September instead of June.”
Of the 70 lakh hectares of cultivable area in the State, only 63 lakh hectares could be sown this kharif season because of lack of rains in June and July. “We are hoping for more rains that will ease drinking water scarcity and fill up tanks and ponds.”
Meanwhile at the Amba Vilas Palace, the titular king Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar conducted the proceedings involving performance of various rituals that have been systematised over the centuries and are being observed diligently during Dasara. This was followed by the Khas Durbar which is only symbolic in the present times following the abolition of the institution of the maharajas. In continuation of the custom, Mr. Yaduveer ascended the golden throne, a practice followed only during Dasara to keep alive the tradition.