Speaking to the media after holding a preparatory meeting with representatives of various departments, Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas, who is also the district in-charge minister of Mysore, said as many as 54 countries have been approached with a request to send their cultural troupes to participate in the festivities.
The External Affairs Ministry is also finalising the modalities regarding the participation of cultural troupes on an exchange basis, he said. A clear picture on the number of participating countries will emerge by August 29.
The Dasara committee is also planning to upgrade the wrestling and yoga competitions held during the Nadahabba from the present state-level to national-level.
The tableaux theme this year would be “the rich tradition of Karnataka”. Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda will soon extend a formal invitation to Pejawar Mutt seer Vishvesvatheertha to inaugurate the Dasara festivities this year, Ramdas said.
Published 24 August 2011, 18:42 IST