JOIN US'Dasara, time to preserve rich culture'
He was speaking after inaugurating the festivities of 400th year of Dasara, spread across 10 days atop Chamundi Hills in the city on Friday, by offering puja to the procession idol of goddess Chamundeshwari placed in a silver chariot.
Heggade said, conserving culture assumes significance in the wake of western influence in the current scenario.
And, Dasara should be a perfect platform to enrich the tradition. It could be further enlivened, besides inspiring others to wear traditional Indian attire atleast once during the festival. The elders should wear dhoti, shirt and also peta as the headgear is mostly seen during dais programmes.
He appealed to the youth to carry the rich legacy forward by acting as the link between the past and the present.
Lauding Mysore, Heggade said: ‘if one wants to hear pure Kannada, Mysore is the only place’. Though the city still lags behind when compared to Bangalore, Mysore region stands distinctively apart in preserving the basic culture. It’s really a blessing in disguise that though it is near to Bangalore, the corrupt influence of the capital is not felt here.
Said Heggade that the bond between Mysore and Dharmasthala is nearly 300 to 400 years old and it was evident with the letter correspondences. “Kariyaiah Heggade had been honoured in Mysore, while another had been treated for eye related ailments.
Noted musician Bidaram Krishnappa had accompanied a yakshagana mela to Mysore”, said Veerendra Heggade.
Mention must be made of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s message on the occasion of completing 25 years of rule, preserved at Manjusha Museum in Dharmasthala.
Spread light
For Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa it was an apt occasion to invoke the blessings of deity Chamundeshwari to ward off the evil forces that had stirred the power corridors. He exuded confidence that the cloud of uncertainty that had erupted owing to few elected representatives will clear soon spreading light referring to the recent political high drama.
He was also confident that KRS dam will fill to the brim and prayed to the goddess to bless him with an opportunity to offer bagina to river cauvery on ‘Jamboo Savari’ day.
Traditional welcome
Earlier, the CM accompanied by Dr D Veerendra Heggade were offered a traditional reception at the entrance arch put up near KSRTC bus stand atop the hills. Artistes performing ‘linga dheerana kunita’, ‘nandi kamba’ danced to the tune of native drums.
Women in equal numbers drawn from about 90 bhajan mandalis recited ‘mahishasura mardini stotram’ creating a spiritual mood. The VIPs walked up to the temple.
Medical Education and district in-charge Minister S A Ramdas, Mayor Sandesh Swamy, Deputy Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath, president, ZP, S N Siddartha, VP Nandini K Chandrashekar, MP H Vishwanath, Chairman, Karnataka Housing Board, G T Devegowda and others were present.