Chamarajanagar looking to hold Dasara street festival this year

Mysuru: As the state government is extending Rs 1 crore for the Chamarajanagar Dasara celebrations, the district administration plans to celebrate in a grand manner this year.
The last two years, the festival was a low-key affair because of the pandemic.
This time, there will be cultural events over four days, Raitha Dasara and Mahila Dasara, inviting artists from outside the state and district to participate, a food festival, and Chitra Santhe.
Officials plan to hold the street festival, popular in places like Mysuru and Bengaluru, a youth festival to attract youngsters and visitors to the backward district headquarters.
An open street festival was conducted thrice in Mysuru and was a big success, with much food, fun and frolic. Food courts were established, fashion shows and DJ music were organised, and cultural programmes held from morning to evening. People of all ages came in droves to enjoy the atmosphere. Sources said stakeholders want to organise something similar in Chamarajanagar this year.
Organising an open street festival in one of the popular streets will help attract youth in large numbers, said former MLA Balaraju, who is also a folk artist.
Various stakeholders have also demanded that the district administration bring in jumbos for Dasara procession after seeking permission from the government. They also want the authorities to provide an opportunity for 70% local artists in Dasara cultural events, planned in the newly constructed Varanata Dr Rajkumar Rangamandira, JH Patel auditorium and other places, said assistant director of Kannada and Culture Gurulingaiah.
Additional deputy commissioner Katyayinidevi told TOI the district administration has conducted a meeting with various stakeholders and decided to hold the celebrations over four days. The list of events will be finalised after discussions with the district in-charge minister and depending on fund availability.