Feast on the tribal bamboo biryani at Dasara 'Aahara Mela'

As the 406th Mysuru Dasara approaches, tribal people from various hamlets in the district are getting ready to serve delicious food to visitors at the ‘Dasara Aahara Mela’ scheduled to be held at the Scouts and Guides Grounds in the city.

Members of the community are busy setting up the ‘Aadivasi Aahara Mane’, where tribal delicacies will be dished out. Deputy commissioner D Randeep launched the works after offering pooja and installing a bamboo pole to mark the inauguration on the outlet on Tuesday.

Food and Civil Supplies senior deputy director K Rameshwarappa, also Dasara Food Mela sub-committee working president said, “Special infrastructure is needed to prepare tribal food and thus, members of the community have started work on setting up a traditional stove and others facilities.”

Special bamboo biryani
He said, “Bamboo biryani, cooked in bamboo stems, which was a hit during Dasara-2014, will be among the attractions. Tea made of ‘makali beru’ (a root), variety of tubers grown in forests, dishes made of green leaves, a delicacy made of bamboo shoots, will be available.”

Community leader and also State Lamps Cooperative Federation chairman M Krishnaiah said, “The mela is a good platform for tribals to promote their culture and food among urban people. Bamboo juices enhance the nutritional value and taste of the biryani.

During 2014 Dasara, the biryani received a overwhelming response. We could serve only 50% of the visitors. But this time, we will meet the demand.”  The tribals served ‘Noregenasu’, a tuber. The people from Basavanagiri hamlet in HD Kote taluk, Haralahalli hamlet in Hunsur taluk, cooked the tuber at the venue. Krishnaiah said, “This time, a team of 15 people would take part in the ‘Aahara Mela’ to prepare a variety of food items.”

Rameshwarappa said, “The committee will set up 95 stalls that offer a wide range of food items, including, Mysuru style and costal style food. As many as 18 types of food items will be served at the mela. The theme of the mela is ‘Clean food is everyone's right’.”
Zilla Panchayat CEO, also Deputy Special Officer of the committee, P Shivashankar was present.