Is Mysuru Dasara a 'Naada Habba'?
South India has been opposing the imposition of cultural and political imageries by north India in various ways. Two years ago, the central government had to face people’s wrath for making ‘Onam’ of Kerala into ‘Vamana Jayanthi’. Dravida thoughts are resurfacing in Tamil Nadu. ‘Mahisha Dasara’ was celebrated with pomp and gaiety in Karnataka as against the usually accepted format of Dasara. Mahisha Dasara made an excellent effort to put forth the true narrative of the Dasara, with people from Dalit, shudra and minority communities along with rational thinkers and intellectuals joining the celebrations.
Mysore or Mysuru is name that is based on the identity of ‘Mahishasura’. And this name is being misconstrued in an attempt to provide the legend of this very land. Mahishasura was a king from tribal community who was loved the most by his subjects. Mahisuru or Mahisha Mandala has mentions in history and religious texts as well. Buddhist literature has references to this. A scripture from king Ashoka’s time has the name of Mahisha Mandala. As a prominent member of this community, Mahisha was a known as a great lover of animals, especially the buffalos. Dravida identity should never ever forget him. Buddhists have had great links with Mahisha Mandala and there are references to prove this claim. Today, we are in an inevitable situation where we have to revisit our understanding of history through Mahisha’s memories. It is inevitable that Mahisha be deconstructed for the sake of new generation. In this regard, Kannadigas should insist that the government should celebrate Mahisha Dasara through its authorities.
Mahisha upholds the values of grassroots culture of this land, while the brahminical and feudal reminisces of this celebration is being showcased as the real celebration. Even the state government endorses this as undeclared ‘state festival’ or ‘Naada Habba’. How should a Naada Habba be? It should bring all the Kannadigas together. It should not glorify any single caste/religion or identity but embody the spirit of the festival together to hold up the Kannadiga identity. It should be a beautiful coming together of rationality, intellect, scientific temperament, co-eixtence and folk.
Basavanna, Santa Shishunala Shareefa, Kanaka Dasa, Sufi saints and Kuvempu among the other big names should be made the pride of Dasara celebration. But what is happening now? Brahminical pride and remnants of the monarch rule are being held up celebrations of Naada Habba using government money and people’s resources. The royals of Mysuru are being held high in praise while violence takes the centre stage in Dasara. Jambu Savari is a big epitome of slavery and subjugation. Why is the government spending crores of rupees on this wasted celebration when this has nothing to do with showcasing the Kannada pride?
Many prominent thinkers and leaders had objected to Jamboo Savari parade in the past owing to reasons such as it embodied the slavery to the royal family. Since we entered a democratic set up, one need not be subjugated to the royal family which lost its glory in 1947 when the country became independent and turned a republic. Only the royals and priestly class need this glory back. Jamboo Savari is no metaphor to Kannadiga pride. How is it appropriate to engage elephants to carry a golden howdah when lakhs of people are present on the long stretch of roads where they walk? This is a clear violation of wildlife protection act.
If Dasara is to be a Naada Habba in true sense, it is important to make many changes in this. Kannada identity should gain most prominent position and not the priestly celebrations. Kannada culture and language should be held in high regard. Violence has to be eradicated from this. Jamboo Savari has to stop completely. Mysuru Dasara has to remember Mahisha Mandala and the contribution of this king to make this land the way it is. Dasara turns meaningful with that. Government should celebrate Mahisha Dasara to showcase the culture and rationality of this land. On the other hand, November 1, the Kannada Rajyotsava day is the true Naada Habba for us. The elements that make Dasara the Naada Habba want us to go back into the control of priestly class and royalty, ignoring the democracy at our own peril. When Kodagu is reeling under the aftereffects of floods and rains, government should consider reducing the pomp of Dasara and helping people of Kodagu stand on their feet.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
ALSO READ: Cong candidate who moved Kerala HC for name reinstatement in voter list, wins
Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
