Mahila Dasara: A treat for women in Dasara Janotsava

It was a platform for women to showcase their talent on account of Dasara Janotsava in the city on Friday.

There was fun, frolic with hundreds of women taking part in various competitions and dancing to the tunes of music. This was a typical scene at Mahila Dasara held as part of Madikeri Janotsava at Gandhi Maidan here.

The ‘rural dishes mela,’ served mouth-watering dishes for food connoisseurs. The dishes brought by Pushpaveni of Maragodu was a centre of attraction.

She served traditional dishes of ‘Holada Avarekai Saaru’, ‘Anabe Gojju’, ‘Ganikesoppina Palya’, ‘Kalale Palya’, ‘Huruli Pajji, tamarind chutney, ‘Chagathe Soppina Palya’ and ‘Bellada Kajjaya’ to the visitors.

‘Ragi Idli,’ ‘Ragi Kattu,’ ‘Kajjaya,’ ‘Ragi Rotti’ and ‘Ragi Shavige’ by Yashoda and Sneha from Rajarajeshwari Nagara in Madikeri were another attraction.

K P Muthamma Madappa of Gowda Mahila Okkoota had brought bitter gourd Palya, onion Gojju, ‘Kesavina Soppu Saru,’ ‘Kahihuli chutney,’ ‘Akki Palappa’.

In addition, there were ‘Appadahittu,’ jackfruit seed Kajjaya, ‘Madagala Kai Saru’, ‘Kesadaberina Saru’ ‘Chagathe Soppina Palya,’ ‘Neeru Dose’, ‘Udda Kadubu’, ‘Bellulli Ganji,’ ‘Akki Rotti’ and juices made of extracts from medicinal plants.

The members of various women organisations were seen selling Chakkuli, ‘Menasinakai Bajji’ and other delicacies.

Breaking pot contest
About 30 women had registered for breaking the pot with eyes tied competition. Women with covered eyes attempted to break a pot tied on a horizontal bar.
Though 20 women failed in their attempt and finally a woman broke the pot and clinched the prize.

Mehandi contest
A Mehandi competition was held as part of Mahila Dasara. Participants created an eye-catching design on the hands of women. In the traditional attire competition, women wore Uttara Karnataka, Arebhashe Gowda, Kodava, tribal, Christian and Hoovadagithi style of wearing saree. In addition, there were mono act and dance competitions as well. 

Price of saree
Women failed to guess the exact price of saree at the competition in Dasara celebrations.
The anchor asked the participating women to guess the exact price of a saree. Women started from Rs 100 went on till Rs 4,000. Finally, a woman who said the cost of the saree was Rs 950, won the prize. For the second saree, it took more than 20 minutes for women to guess the exact price of the saree, that is, Rs 1,350.

Women also danced to the tune of musical instruments. Inaugurating Mahila Dasara, MLC Veena Acchaiah said women should make use of the opportunities available to excel in the field.
DH News Service