BENGALURU: The State government’s decision to restrict the participation of district tableaux in the Mysuru Dasara Jamboo Savari to just 15 districts has left several districts disappointed, with Tumakuru — the second-largest district in the State and the home district of Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara — among those left out.
It is learnt that Parameshwara spoke to Kannada and Culture Department Secretary Manjushree N, who is also the chairperson of the State-level committee overseeing the selection of Dasara tableaux, following Tumakuru’s exclusion.
Speaking to The New Indian Express over phone, Manjushree clarified that restricting the number of tableaux to 15 was a government decision and not one taken by the selection committee.
“The government had decided to restrict the tableaux to 15 districts. The selection was subsequently made ensuring that each tableau would be unique and reflect the respective district’s profile, including its culture and heritage,” she said.
The decision has nevertheless raised questions as the government has been projecting this year’s Dasara as a grand celebration as declared by none other than chief minister D K Shivakumar. While proposals were received from all 31 districts, only 15 have been selected for participation in the Jamboo Savari.
According to the minutes of the State-level committee meeting held on September 19, the selected districts are Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Bengaluru Urban, Shivamogga, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Haveri, Uttara Kannada, Yadgir, Vijayanagara and Bidar.
Tumakuru’s exclusion is particularly significant as the district is seeking to emerge as a major sports hub. The KSCA has started construction of an international cricket stadium as the government has allotted the land near Tumakuru. Parameshwara, who is Tumakuru district in-charge minister, also holds the Sports portfolio and has been associated with efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure in the district.
A Tumakuru tableau could have showcased its emerging sporting ecosystem along with its historical, cultural and tourism heritage at one of Karnataka’s biggest public celebrations.
The committee had considered proposals from all 31 districts, with emphasis on new and innovative themes. The guidelines covered environment-friendly initiatives, agriculture and farmers, Jnanpith awardees, freedom fighters, religious institutions, tourist destinations, forts, wildlife, literature, culture, women’s empowerment and self-help groups.
The decision to limit participation to 15 districts, however, means that more than half of Karnataka’s districts will not get an opportunity to showcase their identity and achievements at the Jamboo Savari.
The move has also disappointed artists, craftsmen, designers, technicians and support staff involved in preparing the tableaux every year. The Dasara assignments provide seasonal employment and an important platform for these artists, and the reduction in the number of tableaux will correspondingly reduce work opportunities.
Many a concerned artists who were eager to showcase their talent felt let down, according to sources.
As per the committee’s decision, the funds earmarked for the excluded districts will be reallocated among the selected districts, with each selected district permitted to spend up to Rs 24.96 lakh on its tableau.
The government could face the ire of people and elected representatives in the excluded districts, particularly when Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has maintained that this year’s Dasara would be celebrated in a grand manner.
The exclusion of Tumakuru is likely to attract particular attention given Parameshwara’s position as Deputy Chief Minister, district in-charge minister and Sports Minister, as well as the district’s growing efforts to establish itself as a major sports destination.