MYSURU: Noted scholar and writer Hampa Nagarajaiah inaugurated the 10-day Dasara festivities atop Chamundi Hill by offering flowers to presiding deity Goddess Chamundeshwari, placed in a decorated silver chariot.
Hampa Nagarajaiah, accompanied by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and others, inaugurated the festival in Vrishchika Lagna and observed that Dasara festivities offer future generations a glimpse of Karnataka’s rich cultural diversity and tradition.
He underscored the importance of traditional arts, native sports like wrestling, and the state’s heritage, warning that without nurturing the next generation’s interest, these traditions could fade away.
He said that traditional music, dance, costumes and grand Jumboo Savari, a cultural extravaganza, are not taught in schools. Dasara, which is celebrated with gaiety and grandeur by the Mysuru royal family, has now got wider recognition. It is above religion and is celebrated by people of all walks of life. Elected governments have changed its form over the years but not its basic essence, where the people and government come together.
Turning his attention to the Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine wars, he prayed to Goddess Chamundeshwari to guide leaders to end war and establish peace and touched upon the importance of democracy, social responsibility and governance.
HampaNa resonated deeply with the audience as he addressed key political and social issues, making a strong case for democratic integrity and cautioning against efforts to destabilise elected governments. He referred to growing unemployment, gender inequality and delay in bringing women’s reservation, and stressed on the need for communal harmony.
‘Building a govt difficult’
“Toppling a government is easy, but building one is difficult. Goddess Chamundeshwari must inspire leaders to refrain from such malicious intentions. Multiple elections only add burden on the common man, already struggling under existing challenges,” he stated, urging for continuity and stability in governance.
Nagarajaiah referred to CM Siddaramaiah as the “Brahma of many Bhagyas” and acknowledged DCM Shivakumar for his efforts at governance.
He hailed the state’s recent initiative of organising a human chain from Chamarajanagara to Bidar, designed to strengthen democracy and inspire a collective sense of responsibility.
His final prayer called on the government to treat activists fighting for the cause of Kannada and state borders with love, end personal vendettas and abusive political discourse, advocating instead a more constructive and society-centric approach to governance.