Showcasing Mysore in Dasara

Date: Oct 14, 2005

Showcasing Mysore in Dasara

Date: Oct 14, 2005

Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar feels the need for a revamp of ‘Jamboo Savari’.

Sharing his concerns with the media Mr Wadiyar, a prime stakeholder in the Mysore dasara celebrations, is reported to have called for more orderliness in the conduct of the parade.

The standard of performance of the cultural troupes left much to be desired. Most members of these troupes meandered through the parade in a haphazard manner. The organizers should have ensured that cultural troupes selected for the grand parade made the mark in quality of performance.

Mr Wadiyar is also reported to have observed that the banners displayed by the troupes carried their message in Kannada only, which didn’t help to the thousands of out-of-state dasara visitors. By saying it in Hindi and English as well the participant troupes would have a better chance of get their message across to non-Kannada knowing tourists.

Source: The Hindu, Oct.15, 2005

Date: Sep 23, 2006

In addition to all other measures suggested in the blog, the single most important factor that WILL bring back old glories alongside the new age creations is the Jamboo Sawari itself. During the bygone days, it was the Maharaja who used to sit on the elephant and go to Banni Mantap to perform the Pooja. Our netas, in their contrived wisdom, did away with this practice that had continued even after the Maharaja was done away with. The real decline started thereafter. I have watched Dasara procession sitting near the eye hospital gate with my father who regularly took us there. Even those days, lakhs of people used to gather. By that count millions should have been gathering. Unfortunately, it is not so.
I feel that the government should shed its ego and request the current scion, that is, Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wodeyar, to adore the Howdah and I am sure that it will help shedding the drab festival that is what Dasara is today. Other modifications are welcome. This is my personal view. I solicit your comments on my view.

Date: Sep 23, 2006

Interesting thought, Dr Anand. And, a provocative one, I might add. Today's maharaja cannot be said to have either the status or the stature to lend the kind of sanctity to the howdah it deserves. I mean no disrespect to the person. Merely, stating the reality, as I see it.I would think our erstwhile maharaja can do much to lobby Mysore's case, argue for expediting projects, whether they be doubling the rail track or upgrade of airport, in appropriate quarters in Bangalore and New Delhi.

Undoubtedly, Mr Wadeyar enjoys respect and goodwill among a significant section of Mysoreans. Besides, his brand image as the man from the Mysore Palace would open many doors in the corridors of power. Moreover, he could volunteer his services to work as Mysore city's brand ambassador, and pitch for inventment from Mysore-connected NRIs. He could do good for Mysore, if only Mr Wadeyar could be more out-going and reach out to people, instead of standing on needless protocol. For instance, Mr Wadayer would have been a hit at the recent Kannada convention in the US, had he chosen to attend it on his own and lobby for investment in Mysore among Karnataka NRIs in the US.

Date: Sep 23, 2006

There are so many things one can do with Dussera. And we need to do them. However every year we think of all these things either on the eve of Dussera or during dussera. Then we quickly forget all of them.

GVK gave the example of Berkely. Even many in the US would know about it. But it is a big and successful event there. The same is true of such parades all over the US. There are lessons one can learn from those successful events. It is just that they are handled with great management skills.

In case of our dussera every management strategy is violated or broken. We do not have any pre planning. There is no budgeting, transparency and accoutability. Deelegation of power is unknown. Every thing is decided and implemented by some busy bureaucrat like Deputy Commissione who usually happens to be incompetent in these days. No professionals or intellegnetsia come forward to serve on these committees. No citizen committees are formed when things go wrong to look into the probelms excepting to blog like this.

If we are serious, we should start forming citizen committes for 2007 Dussera now and start working on it with great urgency. Even to plan for 2007 dussera it is in one way too late. Are there any takers? I will be happy to help any one who takes the lead.

Date: Sep 27, 2006

These days, NRIs or rather NRMs are dragged into any projected activities concerning Mysore. I am not sure this is a good idea as events such as dasara, jumboosavari and chamundeshwari 'rathothsava' will take a 'conference' format if the fingers of NRIs are on each of the event pie. The durbar at the palace and the pomp and pageantry of Juboosavari of yester years when the Wodeyars were taking part, were for all to behold, participate and enjoy and hence their unique appeal in those days. In my opinion, resident Mysoreans should be the only drivers and funding from outside be from NRIs or whoever should be welcome as contributions without strings.

Date: Sep 28, 2006

GURU wrote:

... events such as dasara, jumboosavari and chamundeshwari 'rathothsava' will take a 'conference' format if the fingers of NRIs are on each of the event pie.... In my opinion, resident Mysoreans should be the only drivers and funding from outside be from NRIs or whoever should be welcome as contributions without strings.

Dasara, in a sense, is an item of conspicuous consumption. And funds for it are ideally generated by its beneficiaries - hotel, transport and tourist trade, the chamber of commerce and the like. The reference to the potentials of erstwhile maharaja to play, what they call in the ad. world, a brand ambassador for Mysore was made in the context of attracting NRM investment for projects that are productive.