Foreigners enjoy learning Kannada

In this modern era, most of the Kannadigas think twice before learning Kannada. But, the foreigners who come to Karnataka take interest in learning our language as they can easily communicate with people.

Several foreigners who are residing in city for a short while to learn yoga, bharathanatya, Sanskrit, communtiy service and have taken a course work in Universities, and have started to learn Kannada.

They say if they want to know about new culture they should learn the local language first. Most of them find that Kannada is quite easy to learn, through bit its difficult for pronouncement because of the different accent.

There are many foreigners just after a couple months of learning have started speaking Kannada fluently. The main reason behind taking interest to learn our language is not only to mix freely with our people and learn out culture, but also to get avoid being cheated due to language barriers.

A couple of private institutions which have come up exclusively to teach Kannada are catering the needs of the foreigners by teaching them from basic grammar to how to converse in Kannada.

Milena Rösch from Germany who is in city on community service work said that from two months she is going to Kannada Class. “Its important for me to learn basics local language, especially because of the reason that most of the children with whom we are working and living together just know Kannada and have less English knowledge,” she said.

Julia Merkle says, “Our purpose to learn Kannada is in the first instance to communicate with the people here. In Germany nobody knows the language "Kannada", after our return we probably have no opportunity to speak or read Kannada again.”
 

Schools started by a professionals to teach Kannada

 Usually parents want their wards to study in English Medium schools. But, here is a group of professionals who were not happy with the present primarily British education system, started a school and are imparting education in Kannada.

Naming the school has Arivu, a group of four members Dr MC Manohar, Dr Maruthi (PhD in Chemistry), Renowned Theater Artiste Berty F Olivera and a Businessmen Raghavendra started the school.

Students are engaged in nature walks, star watching, karnatic musics, theater, desi sports, tabla, workshops that provides a platform. Apart this they will be taken for tour and they will be informed about heritage buildings in state, and will be screened documents on historical places of Karnataka, hills, and peaks, making children to feel proud about State.

This quartet say the current education system is very bookish and theoretical and not at all useful. There is no practical approach and students are made to mugup in classroom without giving any lively experience.

“Primarily British education system is not a new phenomenon and Mahatma Gandhi had warned us against its ill effect in 1908. Its need of the hour parents should think of giving knowledge for children, instead of making them educated,” they say.

The school was started with three students in a small farm shared by a friend in 2008. In a drastic change, from last four years the school strength holds 45 and classes are hold upto 5^th standard. Now, the school has come long way and has staff of around 25, which includes teachers, visiting faculty, resource persons and admin.

Added to this, CS Sudarshana's former bank employee, left permanent job for the passion of teaching in the school. The school is now all set to transform into a learning centre and will be hoisting a resource centre and a butterfly park in an environmental friendly campus.  

Bollywood actor to narrate history of Amba Vilas Palace

Good news awaits tourists visiting the Amba Vilas Palace as they can now watch the son-et-lumiere, popularly known as Sound and Light show in Hindi and English languages, where the voice will be provided by a famous personality of Bollywood.

According to sources legendary actors of film industry, either Ompuri or Naseeruddin Shah, will be giving voice for the show. Most probabilities are there for Ompuri.

The Kannada script penned by the famous linguist Lingadevaru Halemane is being translated to Hindi by Vibhanshu of National School of Drama, New Delhi, while for English by famous journalist Prakash Belavaadi. The written script has been given to scion of Mysore Royal family, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar for review.

Though initially megastar Amithabh Bahchan had agreed to give the voice, it was later dropped. The programme has already being going on, and its being rendered only in Kannada, as such majority of the tourists are unable to understand it.

The play which begins with the legend of Goddess Chamundeshwari concludes with the history of Mysore Palace and Yaduvamsha dynasty and will be played alternately in Hindi, English and Kannada languages.

The entire project has been allotted to Innovative Lighting System at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, which includes charges for rendering the narration in all the three languages Hindi, English and Kannada. The show is expected to last 50 minutes.

Palace Board TS Subramanyam said that at any time the show might be launched in other National languages, and it contains voice of top actors, but the names cant be disclosed at this moment.

Innovative Lighting System Project System Krishnakumar said that in couple of days names will be finalised.  

Tribal attire come alive at CAVA

Creativity takes center note at Cava Mela every year, with new ideas, themes and concepts. This year to Students of Chamarajendra Academy of Visually Arts have all set to showcase their talent at CAVA Mela on theme 'Tribal'.

To educate people, specially residing in urban areas, the students have come out with this topic. Through pictures they have fabulously depicted the tribal life, animals, tribal robot, amidst forest environ.

A tribal women sleeping in well, Tribal Robot, Tribal stage erected, tribal faces erected in many places drew the attention of visitors during the CAVA Mela which will be held at its premises on October 30 and 31. The students were seen enthusiastically decorating the CAVA premises with colourful artifacts and giving final touches to their works.

Apart from tribal life, hike in prices of essential commodities and cauvery agitation has taken center note at mela. They have erected huge elephant and boat to depict the resemblance of tribal life in front side of CAVA and at the entrance of the gate they have placed a huge tribal face and big apes on either sides.

Price Hike

To depict the prices of essential commodities is not accessible for a common man, the students have tied the fruits, vegetables, cooking ingredients on top of the roof, and straight below have created several hands, which are trying to catch the food. The imagination art work created by Naian Raj and Team, First year BFA students received applauds from other students.

Cauvery Agitation

Strongly condemning the release of water to Tamil Nadu, Students Goutham, Yashwanth, Saikrishna have depicted a scene of performing final rites for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha.

In their concept, they have shown four persons carrying effigy of Jayalalaitha and putting break for cauvery issue. Students Yashwanth says: “Hailing from Mandya I strongly oppose the release of cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Hence, to show my oppose and educate people about current issue I choose this topic.”

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Barren land turns bountiful for tribes

Nagarahole National Park region tribal who have resettled at Shettihalli, Lakkapattana village, Hangod hobli in Hunsur taluk, are harvesting a fine quality of maize from barren land for the last two years.

Being primitive tribal, many of them had no idea about agriculture. But, for the last two years, the tribes have cultivated maize and are not only getting pecuniary returns, but have also enriched their knowledge about agriculture under the guidance of officials.

They harvest 25-30 quintals per acre, whereas the yield by farmers is only 18-22 quintals. Hailing from Kodagu and H D Kote, about 150 Jenukuruba tribal families have become agriculturists in Shettihalli. In all, 450 acres were provided to them, of which about 70 per cent of the land was dry and the remaining wet land.

According to tribal leader Rajappa, a majority of the tribes were not aware of agriculture before. “We are obtaining good yield and have learnt to harvest maize. We are happy as we also grow vegetables in our garden. Our life style has indeed changed a lot.”

Agriculture Department Assistant Director Kenchegowda said that measures have been taken to bring the tribes to the mainstream through agriculture.

“There are no labour problems here, as the entire family of 5-7 continues harvesting maize even in the absence of others. If maize is cultivated providing some gap, it gives a good yield,” Agriculture Department Assistant Director Kenchegowda  added.  Under the state governments Bhoo Chethana Programme, Forest and Agriculture Department officials are providing guidance to these tribes.

As per the direction of the Supreme Court, the rehabilitation scheme was undertaken by the Central government, which provided barren land and Rs 10 lakh for re-settlement of tribal.

Did really Arjuna killed a mahout ?!

It was widely reported in media that Elephant Arjuna had trampled mahout to death. The question is did really Arjuna killed a Mahout late in 1990's! According to eye witnesses mahout Pasha of Sarla elephant and mahout Ramu of Gajendra elephant, on that faithful day the person who died in the incident is not Mahout, while its Kavadi Annaiah.

They say, earlier elephants were taken for a bath at Karanji Lake and were brought back to the Palace daily. The day when the incident occurred, Mahout of Bahuddur elephant had gone to collect payment, and Kavadi Annaiah rode the elephant.

“Always when we take elephants for walk we place female elephants in between of male elephants. But that day, in hurry Kavadi Annaiah placed Bahuddur elephant in front of Arjuna, which led to clash between the two elephants.”

“When Arjuna hit Bahaddur from the backside on the way, all of a sudden Bahaddur lost the balance because of the slope. Kavadi Annaiah who was not seated properly on back of Bahaddur lost his balance and felt to the ground. At this unexpected turn of event, the Kavadi was trampled beneath the feet of hind legs of Bahaduur or it might be from front legs of Arjuna which is even today mystery,” says Pasha the then Kavadi of Sarala.

While Mahout Ramu, who was then Kavadi of elephant Kokila says

“the mistake is of Kavadi Annaiah not Arjuna. He had not placed himself properly on the head of elephant. During the clash he fell down and might be stamped by Arjuna as he was following Bhaddur. Moreover, Wild elephants tramped persons very vigorously, but this incident was merely an accident and not an act of violence are rage by Arjuna. As Arjuna was standing next to him, the news spread as wild fire that Arjuna has trampled the mahout.”

When contacted Veterinarian Dr Nagaraj he said that Arjuna is very soft and though he might had killed a person, it might be accident. Anyways, after the incident an permanent bathing pit was built inside the palace.  

Did really Arjuna killed a mahout ?!

It was widely reported in media that Elephant Arjuna had trampled mahout to death. The question is did really Arjuna killed a Mahout late in 1990's! According to eye witnesses mahout Pasha of Sarla elephant and mahout Ramu of Gajendra elephant, on that faithful day the person who died in the incident is not Mahout, while its Kavadi Annaiah.

They say, earlier elephants were taken for a bath at Karanji Lake and were brought back to the Palace daily. The day when the incident occurred, Mahout of Bahuddur elephant had gone to collect payment, and Kavadi Annaiah rode the elephant.

“Always when we take elephants for walk we place female elephants in between of male elephants. But that day, in hurry Kavadi Annaiah placed Bahuddur elephant in front of Arjuna, which led to clash between the two elephants.”

“When Arjuna hit Bahaddur from the backside on the way, all of a sudden Bahaddur lost the balance because of the slope. Kavadi Annaiah who was not seated properly on back of Bahaddur lost his balance and felt to the ground. At this unexpected turn of event, the Kavadi was trampled beneath the feet of hind legs of Bahaduur or it might be from front legs of Arjuna which is even today mystery,” says Pasha the then Kavadi of Sarala.

While Mahout Ramu, who was then Kavadi of elephant Kokila says

“the mistake is of Kavadi Annaiah not Arjuna. He had not placed himself properly on the head of elephant. During the clash he fell down and might be stamped by Arjuna as he was following Bhaddur. Moreover, Wild elephants tramped persons very vigorously, but this incident was merely an accident and not an act of violence are rage by Arjuna. As Arjuna was standing next to him, the news spread as wild fire that Arjuna has trampled the mahout.”

When contacted Veterinarian Dr Nagaraj he said that Arjuna is very soft and though he might had killed a person, it might be accident. Anyways, after the incident an permanent bathing pit was built inside the palace.  

The ups and downs of Dasara festivities

Every year new events are being added to Dasara to make it more interesting and keep in line with the recent happenings. Though this year several events evoked good response from the public, some of them failed to make any impact due to lack of publicity, while others drew strong criticism by pro-Kannada activists terming it as 'Saffronisation of Dasara'.

Lack of preparation and dearth of publicity led several events to receive luke warm response. Even after coming out with 27 sub-committees, several of the programmes were not planned well and there was lot of confusion among event organisers. Below is a list of ups and downs of the Dasara.

One positive impact of this year's Dasara was that dozens of local artistes got a chance to show-case their talent with events organised at six venues across city for nine days of the Dasara festivities.

The regular events such as Makkala Dasara, Food Mela, Dasara Heritage Walk, Yuva Sambrama, Raitha Dasara, Flower Show, cultural programme for handicap, Kite Festival took a center stage. The newly introduced programmes such as Magic Show, Suryaninda Chandranedege (Dawn to Dusk), an 12-hour cultural programme and the Yoga Dasara held at palace received a good response.

Wrestling witnessed a good crowd due to challenging bouts between seasoned wrestlers. Though Dasara Film festival was inaugurated with lot of funfair, due to lack of publicity the response was moderate. Same with the Mahila Dasara too. Even the Dasara Market Watch intended to draw the people's intention failed miserably.

There was no fee for the some of the adventure sports, unaware of it the turn out of people was very less. Even the 48-hour cycle race was also called off mid-way.

Events that failed miserably to attract people were the Dasara Kavi Goshti, Vidwat Goshti and Dharmika Dasara as there was a lot of opposition to these events. 

Tribal women drew attention of on-lookers on procession

 Its not only the men, whereas women and children in equal number took part in dasara folk art programmes walking with bear feet, unmindful of burning sun.

Specially youngsters below 14 years were witnessed in majority of the folk art and groups, depicting the tradition and culture of their region. The folkart dances, Lambani Dance, veeraghasi, Kolatta, Dollukunitha performed by tribal women drew the attention of on-lookers.

Though some women artistes were quite tensed as it was the first Dasara they were taking part, they were seen stepping enthusiastically each step in the beating heat.

Girls who performed Veeraghasi under the banner of BGS Veeraghasi Nruthya Sangha said that as soon as their participation in the dasara events was confirmed, the group members have practiced daily for about two hours, without any break.

Valli says “After hearing I have been selected to perform Veeraghasi it brought me lot of joy. From last one month I have practiced for about two hours every day, without any break to maintain the stamina for long time.”

Devara Gudda and Pooja Kunith staged by folk Art Students of Mysore University was bewitching. The students who staged equally to professional artistes, climbed the ladder holding the 45 kilo Pooja Kunitha in mouth.

Another folkart 'Jagallige Mela' which was performed by youngsters and elders was quite different. The artistes put steps for traditional songs standing over Jagallige mela (round thin drum), which will be carried by two persons. Apart this, in many of the folk arts troupes children and women were seen putting steps to traditional folk art beats.

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Please provide us water to drink

Some of the artistes who seemed tired before reaching Ayurveda Circle, requested government to quench their thrust by provide water to drink. Though some how men can manage, for women its not a easy task.

Jyothi who is taking part in dasara event for fourth time said that “until we reach Bannimantap we will be tired. The government should take measures to supply water at least in any three points on the dasara procession route.”

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Food for elephants !

The officials were seen serving tired elephants at KR Circle, Ayurveda Hospital Circle with nutritious food, which contains Sugarcane, Jower and Dry Coconut.

Police Officer Raghu said that as per the guidance of Mahouts they will provide the nutritious food pack for elephants, which will be tired.

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As soon as the Arjuna passed KR Circle carrying the 750 kg golden howdah, people rushed on the roads breaking the barricades. Some of the family members to escape from the crowd, accommodated themselves in a safe place. But their slippers, water bottles, were seen littered every where in KR Circle. Meantime, cops to were seen finding hard to control the crowd. 

Yuva Sambrama, Food Mela a big hit in dasara festivities

Yuva Sambrama and food mela turned out to be a big hit this year in dasara festivities. The events went of well, much beyond the expectation, attracting people in large number.

As this year with the state reliving under drought the authorities cancelled the Yuva Dasara and conducted Yuva Sambrama. The event drew lot of crowd, especially the youth and students
Yuva Sambrama which began with popular beads of songs, being played out by enthusiastic performers at Open Air Theater for week long, drew a large number of students every evening.
 
Even foreign students from Afghanistan, Lovas in Vietnamese, Mauritius, and youth of 40 countries gave performance, while received a loud applauds from the people. The crowd went into raptures very often after witnessing the programmes. In all, a wide range of dance-drama and music was performed by students of about 120 various colleges.

There was a very special events like hip-hop, folklore, dance, fusion of traditional and western dance, retro to metro, and several other programmes with new theme steal the show. This time seating arrangements were made separately for women, family members and youth.

Food Mela
The other event which draw the equal crowd was the food mela. The entire venue of CADA premises was jam packed with people, often found it difficult to stand and eat.

People were seen standing in long queue, waiting patiently to relish their favourite dishes. As majority of the food items were moderately prices, both veg and non-veg, this was the other attraction for people to taste as many varieties of food they could feast upon.

Traditional food preparations from coorg, Andhra, West Bengal, Kerala and other places were set-up exclusively at the fair. One best feature of this year food mela was provided with handwash basin and drinking water facility. The sad part is lack of cleanliness. The entire premises was littered with waste, creating a ugly scene.  

Gadag artistes educate people about modern surge 'AIDS'

 A team of twelve members service minded artistes from Gadag, have descended on Mysore for dasara, not to take part in any events, but for a noble cause. They are putting their best efforts to spread awareness about this modern surge called AIDS by traditional methods.

As large crowed will be visiting Mysore to watch world-famous Jumboo Savari, the artistes have made best use of this. Wearing traditional dresses, depicting AIDS as goddess of death entering into households, the artistes are creating awareness among people about control and prevention of AIDS, through folk songs, skits, short plays, magic show, Kamsale, Dollu Kunitha, Folk Songs, Veeraghase, and Yakshagana.

Three women members of the troupe dance and sang together conveying the message not to maltreat AIDS victims, but instead look after them humanely. Their scripts, songs, thought providing narration of plays, drew the attention of people in large number. The gathered people were seen greeting the troupe for their campaign against AIDS.

Through folk songs, skits they are informing people about importance of usage of condemns, and other prevention measure to be taken-up for safe sex, problems faced by HIV positive, the way society treats them and much more .

Team Leader D Prakash said that its need of the hour to educate people about AIDS. “When awareness spread through theaters, it reaches very effectively to people and even easy to make illiterate aware of the issue.”

The troupe is involved in sensitising people by staging street plays based on various social issues from long time. In Mysore, they are organising this event at 150 places across the city, twice in a day starting from October 16. The shows ends on October 25.

The troupe thanked District Health and Family Welfare Department and District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit for providing them the opportunity to stage plays during dasara.  

Traditional doll placing culture disappearing in Mysore

The traditional way of making dolls at home and displaying them during the Navaratri, is slowly vanishing as now women choose readymade dolls to display, which are available in contrast colours.

Earlier, majority of the women who were displaying dolls at home, used to create the dolls months before the Navaratri, based on their theme. But now availability of readymade dolls with glossy finishing, bright colours of various shapes has made them to purchase dolls from the shop.

The other thing which has influenced women in large number is taking part at dasara doll competitions. In one side it has encourage more number of women to place dolls at home upholding the tradition, while in other side the traditional practice of placing dolls is melting down.

Thought the availability of ready-made dolls had brought cheers in many, some of them feel sorry as the traditional practice is disappearing.

Some have retained century-old dolls provided for them by their ancestors. But, majority of the women who have recently started placing the dolls, throng for gift shops in search of the dolls.

“From our childhood we were thought to decorate dolls and place them. But, from last four years I am purchasing the ready-made dolls due to my age factor,” says, Hemalatha who places dolls from three decades in Mysore.

“The available ready made dolls are very attractive and have eased our works. Based on the concept, we can purchase the dolls. Though it can be created at home, the finishing will be rough and looks odd. This year, I have highlighted struggle of freedom fighters, for which I have used the ready made plaster of Paris dolls, which looks naturally,” says Jayashree resident of Vidyaranya Puram.

Ramsons which displays dolls at its gallery, is receiving overwhelm response year to year. Named as 'Bombe Mane', dolls brought from across country, are placed under one roof in this gallery.

  

Palace to generate power from Footfall

World Famous Mysore Palace, which attract lakhs of people every year, will shortly generate power from footfalls. For the first of its kind in India, innovative measure has been taken up by Palace Board to generate power from footsteps and to connect the generated power to grid.

If every things goes as per the plan by Deepavali major of the palace bulbs will be illuminated by the power generated through footsteps.

Palace Board Deputy Director TS Subramanyam said that every year 36 lakh people visit Palace and about 7000 in week ends, the foot falls slabs placed will be very helpful to generate power.

The power generating slabs which will be waterproof will be placed in flooring. It will be in the form of tiles which replaces flooring.

When anyone step into it power will be produced. The generated foot power will be enough to illuminate most of the bulbs in palace. By the initiative of this programme, the electricity costs will come down to higher per cent at Palace, say Palace officials.

  

Cycle to light up Mysore Palace

Now, just pedal to illuminate Mysore Palace. For the first of its kind in history of county, District Administration in association with Palace Board and Private Telecommunications launched 'Cycle to light up the Mysore Palace' programme at Palace premises in city on Monday.

About ten stationary cycles have been placed at Mysore Palace premises, to encourage visitors to pedal as long as they wish. The cycles have been connected to a dynamo, and the generate energy will be stored in the batteries and will be used to light up a portion of the Mysore Palace during Dasara.

If the ten cycles are pedaled for ten hours continuously, about 1500 watts of power is generated from which about 1000 bulbs can be illuminated for about one hour. Generally to illuminate the bulbs, about 2000 units of power is needed.

At present the entrance gate of the portion have been connected with these batteries and from Tuesday, the bulbs will be illuminated by the generated pedal power. If a persons pedals for about 10-15 minutes he can generate power for a bulb to glow power.

Palace Board Deputy Director TS Subramanyam said that one megawatt power is used every hour to illuminate around 99,000 bulbs which are of 15 watts.

Deputy Commissioner PS Vastrad said that the efforts to promote cycle-to-work culture in the city and cycle to light up the Mysore palace are the innovative and eco-friendly gesture towards the cause. He said if good response is received, measures will be taken to place more cycle in other places of palace premises.

Though the bicycles will light up only a part of the Mysore Palace, it's an eye-watching demo of the advantages of using bicycles and encourage the visitors to the palace to do their bit for eco-friendly illumination.

Medicinal plants to cure the ailments of livestock’s

Though villagers graze their cattle in fields, many of them are not aware of the medicinal properties of the plants and which particular plant species to feed upon if the livestock’s suffered from any ailment.

In such a scenario, for the first of its kind, Mysore Milk Union (MYMUL), started the Medicinal Plant Garden in July 2011 on an acre land in Alanahalli, where various types of herbs and shrubs having medicinal properties are grown.  

The name of the plant and its medicinal properties have been displayed in a board under each plot in Kannada to help farmers. Not only livestock’s are benefited by this, whereas even humans can use some of this plants for ailments.

Seeing the tremendous response it received, Mandya Milk Union is also planning to develop a similar plot in its place. Plots are ready in Mandya and planting will be taken up by the end of this month. In addition to this various kinds of hybrid fodder for the cattle will be grown exclusively on a six acre area.

Around 80 different kinds of medicinal plants are being grown in the garden.

Plants like Chakramuni used for the treatment of ulcer; Hippli fruits and leaves (piper congum) for treating cough, respiratory problems, headache and throat infection, Limbe Hullu (Lemon Grass) also used for treating coughs; Adu Soge a plant whose roots and leaves are used to stop bleeding caused by minor cuts
and various other plants that are grown here will be given away to farmers free of cost.

“The majority of the plants grown in the garden can be seen at village side. We will educate farmers and ask them to use medicinal plants apart from allopathic medicines. Both humans as well as domesticated animals,” says MS Lakshmi Prasad Yadav of MYMUL.

“After visiting this garden, I got an idea how to use plants easily available in our own backyards for treating minor ailments before visiting a Doctor,” says Mangala, woman farmer of KR Nagar.

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Meet the man behind the project

HJ Jagadeesh an agriculture graduate is the brain child of this project who is also Manager, Procurement and Input, Mandya Milk Union. Jagadeesh took up the initiative to grow medicinal plants when he was posted in Mysore Milk Union (MYMUL), which he now wants to replicate in his new posting at the Mandya Milk Union.

He said, “when I was posted at Dakshina Kannada, I visited Parampara where I observed that cattle and other animals suffering from minor ailments were treated by feeding them with plants having medicinal properties. Impressed over it, I thought of developing a garden exclusively for growing medicinal plants in DK. Due to lack of suitable place it remained a dream. Only when I was transferred to Mysore, I was successful in realising my dream.”

'After witnessing the tremendous good response the medicinal garden received in Mysore, now I am starting a similar garden one in Mandya too. Youth should be made aware of the plants and shrubs that grow around us and their usefulness. Consuming such medicinal plants will help strengthen our body's natural resistance in the long run,' he added.

PhD on Mysore Dasara by Dasara special officer

Many of them witness Dasara every year. But very rarely few of them go in deep. In such here is a persons, being a dasara special officer inspired over Dasara activities has completed his PhD on Mysore Dasara.

V Ranganath, is the Dasara Special officer. Being completed BSc, LLB, MA in History, he is rendering service as dasara special officer from last eleven years. Inspired over dasara activities which will be held in the palace, he decided to do his PHD on 'Mysore Dasara' (KSOU), under the guidance of Rangaswamy.

He says, Dasara celebrations has history of thousands year and not 400 years as mentioned. “Navaratri celebrations being held from the tenure of Vijayanagar Period and there are lot of documents to prove this.” He has collected the details for his work visiting Hampi, Srirangapatna, and many other places, including libraries.

According to him Dasara celebrations came to practice based on tax collection. Earlier, kings used to distribute Kingdom into many parts and used to handover the position for Privypurse (Samantha Rajas), who used to administer the Place. Even the military were divided into two portions, where portion of military near Privypurse and other near Kings.

Every year during the time of Navaratri they used to come to palaces to offer 1/3 of the tax for king, where entire troupe used to join together and spend time for nine-days in palace.

After staying at Palace for nine-days, they used to leave palace on ninth day of Navaratri. While giving adieu to them folkarts, local artistes, dance troupes were invited, where in it was marked as procession, according to history.

Interestingly, the cultural programmes were introduced during the nine days of Navarati celebrations by kings to enthrall the arrived guests to the palace and also to provide opportunity for local artistes.

After administration came under government, Privypurse system was abolished. Government started celebrating dasara from 1973 and there on wards Special officers were appointed.

“Lot of changes in dasara celebrations has taken place. Its now being celebrated without any formats. To know in depth how earlier kings were celebrating dasara, I decided to do my Ph.D. “There should be frame work to celebrate dasara,” he adds.

Theaters have stopped screening Tamil films

After the Cauvery river water dispute reached a flashpoint, theaters in the city have stopped screening Tamil films. Not only Mysore but also neighbouring districts Mandya, the hotbed of Cauvery agitation  Chamarajanagar bordering Tamil Nadu, have voluntarily banned screening of Tamil movies.

Though several blockbuster movies have been released in Tamil from last two months, many of the movies are yet to be screened in theaters
of Mysore, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, which could have run to full houses here.

Not only Theater whereas even Multiplex in Mysore DRC and Satyam have decided not to screen any Tamil movies till the Cauvery issues final verdict being awaited from the Supreme Court for October 30.

The sudden switch over to screening movies of other languages has caused a lot of hardship to some theater owners who were exclusively screening movies of a particular regional language like Tamil, Telugu or Malayalam. Either way there business has taken a beating.

Mysore District Theater Association President Ajit Kumar said that screening of Tamil films were stopped right from the day the agitation broke out. Mandya Theater Owner Srikanth added that screening has been stopped in five districts Mysore, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan and Coorg.

Padma and Rajkamal Theater which screen maximum numbers of Tamil movies have been severely affected. Rajkamal Theater owner Jeevan Kumar says, “our theater is popular for screening Tamil movies. But from last one month our business has totally come down.” Pashwanath of Padma theater says: “The collection has totally come down and only some amount of tickets are sold. To attract people we are screening Telugu movies.”

Mysore Theater Association Secretary Rajaram said that as per the governing rules the theater owners hold responsible and held for any mishap that occur inside the theaters many of the theater owners are not ready to take any chance and are meantime extending their support to farmers.” While some in support of the agitating farmers have stopped the screening of movie, it also true that some fearing untoward incidents stooped screening movies on their own, he added.

Though the verdict comes favourable to State, following Kannada Rajyothsava the theater owners can't screen other languages movie for another one week, which is followed every year during Rajyotsava.
 

Huge loss for businessmen this dasara

Dasara meant to be roaring business for many tradesmen, specially for craftsman and handicrafts. But, the recent decisions of District Administration not to honour chief guests on the dais with traditional Mysore Peta, Kashmiri Shall, Sandalwood Garlands as part of austerity measures to cut down the costs which is said to be running into lakhs of ruppes, has cost severe loss for businessmen. The decision was taken following drought.

Many of the traders have stocked sufficient quantity of petas, shalls, and other gifts articles making huge investment, not anticipating such a move by the District Administration. Majority of the businessmen said that they have to keep the stocks for next occasion.

Cauvery Emporium Manager Ranganath said that every year during dasara they were having a roaring business of Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh. But this year it has cut down to Rs 80,000 to 90,000 and there is a severe shortage in footfalls for emporium.

“This year our business has affected in large extent. Specially from last one month the day cauvery agitations began, the number of visitors coming to city has come down. The emporium in palace premises is also facing huge loss,” he added.

Loss for local serial set sellers

The conventional small bulbs have been dispensed with led bulbs from this year. As per the decision taken by District Administration to celebrate eco-friendly Dasara and to decorate traffic islands, monuments and prominent buildings with LED bulbs serial sets, it has cause huge lose for traditional serial set sellers of city.

Officials who are happy with the move say, its very helpful to educate masses to use maximum amount of LED bulbs to save energy as well as to cut down the cost.

According to Dasara Illumination Sub-Committee President Ramesh the illumination work has been given for contract to a firm and said that the serial sets have been imported from other place.

  

Huge loss for businessmen this dasara

Dasara meant to be roaring business for many tradesmen, specially for craftsman and handicrafts. But, the recent decisions of District Administration not to honour chief guests on the dais with traditional Mysore Peta, Kashmiri Shall, Sandalwood Garlands as part of austerity measures to cut down the costs which is said to be running into lakhs of ruppes, has cost severe loss for businessmen. The decision was taken following drought.

Many of the traders have stocked sufficient quantity of petas, shalls, and other gifts articles making huge investment, not anticipating such a move by the District Administration. Majority of the businessmen said that they have to keep the stocks for next occasion.

Cauvery Emporium Manager Ranganath said that every year during dasara they were having a roaring business of Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh. But this year it has cut down to Rs 80,000 to 90,000 and there is a severe shortage in footfalls for emporium.

“This year our business has affected in large extent. Specially from last one month the day cauvery agitations began, the number of visitors coming to city has come down. The emporium in palace premises is also facing huge loss,” he added.

Loss for local serial set sellers

The conventional small bulbs have been dispensed with led bulbs from this year. As per the decision taken by District Administration to celebrate eco-friendly Dasara and to decorate traffic islands, monuments and prominent buildings with LED bulbs serial sets, it has cause huge lose for traditional serial set sellers of city.

Officials who are happy with the move say, its very helpful to educate masses to use maximum amount of LED bulbs to save energy as well as to cut down the cost.

According to Dasara Illumination Sub-Committee President Ramesh the illumination work has been given for contract to a firm and said that the serial sets have been imported from other place.

  

Dasara is mating time for palace elephants

This might be strange but true. Dasara is a mating time for palace elephants ! There are seven elephants permanently residing in palace premises specially, used for taking part in religious rituals and all of them are female.

As there is no male elephant in Palace their procreation are stand still. But, a ray of hope arrives every time during dasara, as they are donned with the arrival of male elephants from forests, which take part in Dasara festivities.

Just eight days ago, one of the female elephant of Palace has been mated with pretty, tall, handsome, 52-year-old 'Arjuna', who is in the race with Balarama to carry howdah elephant.

For last five years, the Palace Board is successful in providing conjugal bliss for the languishing female elephants in their custody, with the male visitors. After studying the behaviour of elephants, the mahouts inform Palace officials and later arrangements are made to send male elephants.

Though they are couple of male elephants in Mysore Zoo, as they are not tamed elephants, in fear of it many behave rudely and widely with the female elephants, the authorities are not ready to take any chance.

Dr Nagaraj, veterinarian of Dasara elephants says, “even thought this is not a permanent solution, steps should be taken to create more opportunities for the female elephants to mate with the male.”

By this mating even the elephants are not conceived, its interesting to know that elephants can conceive until 70 years, unlike they are fit and ovulating.

As the male jumboos will return back to the forest after the completion of Dasara, measures have been taken to make best use of the opportunity to seek orgasmic pleasures between the elephants. Or else the officials have to wait until next Dasara !