JAC urges Siddaramaiah to oppose Kambala at Mysuru Dasara
A joint action committee comprising representatives of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, Parisarakagi Naavu, Bhoomi Thaayi Horata Samiti, Kannada and progressive organisations
A joint action committee comprising representatives of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, Parisarakagi Naavu, Bhoomi Thaayi Horata Samiti, Kannada and progressive organisations, and other groups has urged former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah to advise the State government to drop the proposal to organise Kambala as part of the Mysuru Dasara festivities. In a letter addressed to Mr. Siddaramaiah, the committee said the world-famous Mysuru Dasara had a rich historical, cultural and religious heritage and cautioned that the addition of too many new programmes was diluting the festival’s unique identity. The committee pointed out that programmes such as Yuva Dasara and Yuva Sambhrama had contributed to increased crowds, traffic congestion, air and noise pollution and accumulation of waste during the festival.
The growing commercialisation and excessive festivities were overshadowing the traditional features of Dasara, it said. “Against this backdrop, organising Kambala, which would attract large crowds, would cause resentment among a section of Mysuru residents,” the JAC claimed in its letter. Describing Kambala as a traditional rural sport of the coastal region, particularly Tulu Nadu, the committee members, who met Mr. Siddaramaiah, said the sport had evolved from the cultural and geographical traditions of the region. Bringing the event from the coastal belt and staging it in Mysuru during Dasara was not justified, they argued, claiming that people in the coastal region too were opposed to relocating the sport to Mysuru. The committee urged the government to implement such an approach from this year itself, saying it would help make Dasara a truly ‘Nada Habba’ by providing opportunities to local artists and promoting the cultural heritage of different regions.
The representatives also cited the prevailing drought-like situation and water scarcity in several parts of State. With farmers facing crop losses and the Cauvery water dispute continuing, spending large amounts on an additional event such as Kambala would be insensitive, they argued. The committee raised concerns over the proposed arrangements for the event, including bringing around 400 buffaloes and a large number of people associated with them from distant places for a two-day event. It also questioned the proposal to clear vegetation from about 25.28 acres in Sathagalli for creating a mud track, and use large quantities of water when Mysuru was facing water-related concerns. Instead of introducing new events, the committee urged the government to address shortcomings in the existing Dasara celebrations, provide greater opportunities to local artistes and ensure that they receive appropriate remuneration.
Recalling that Mr. Siddaramaiah had rejected the proposal to organise Kambala during Dasara last year, the committee urged him to once again advise the Chief Minister against holding the event in Mysuru. The letter was signed by A.T. Ramaswamy, MLA Darshan Puttannaiah, Major General (retd.) Sudhir Vombatkere, leaders Indudhar Honnapura, Guruprasad Keragodu and Badagalapura Nagendra, and activists Parashuramegowda, M.G. Sadanandaiah, Kalachannegowda, Bhanumohan, Mansoor Ahmed, Ravi Bale and Prabha Nandish.
The BriefWire