Infosys Foundation chairperson and writer Sudha Murty will be invited to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festivities this year, which will be scaled down in view of the Kodagu floods and the drought-like situation in 65 taluks in the State.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, after chairing a meeting of the Dasara High-Powered Committee here on Tuesday, said this year’s Dasara festivities would be a purely traditional affair and all events connected with the annual celebrations would be continued. The Gajapayana of the first batch of Dasara elephants will be held on September 2.
The newest entry to the festivities this year will be ‘Janapada Jathre’ for showcasing of the rich folk art and culture of the land. The Chief Minister said there was no dearth of funds for the events and the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner, who will be the Dasara Special Officer, would have a free hand in organising the festivities.
On the Dasara grant, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the district administration would submit a proposal and accordingly, a grant would be released. Last year, ₹15 crore was sanctioned.
Responding to the chaos every year over the issuance of passes for Jamboo Savari, he said the procession route would have many huge LED screens so that people can watch images of the spectacle without any hassle.
None of the Congress legislators from the district attended the meeting, but Mr. Kumaraswamy said they were busy with the civic body elections.