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.
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Rupee hits all-time low for second time in a week
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee depreciated 31 paise to settle at 91.99 against the US dollar on Wednesday, touching the lowest closing level for the second time in less than a week, amid increased month-end demand for the greenback.
Forex traders said the rupee opened higher as the US dollar index softened and a long-awaited trade breakthrough with Europe offered quiet reassurance. However, increased month-end demand for the American currency as well as the ongoing geopolitical tensions dented investors' sentiments.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 91.60 and touched an early high of 91.50, but pared all the gains to touch an intra-day low of 91.99 against the greenback.
The domestic unit settled 31 paise down, revisiting its lowest-ever closing level of 91.99 against the greenback. The Indian currency previously ended at this level on January 23 when it also hit its all-time intraday low of 92 against the US dollar.
On Tuesday, the rupee rebounded from its all-time low levels and gained 22 paise to close at 91.68 against the US dollar.
Analysts said the rupee opened higher as the US dollar index softened and a long-awaited trade breakthrough with Europe bolstered investor sentiment.
India and the European Union on Tuesday announced the conclusion of negotiations for the free trade agreement (FTA), under which a number of domestic sectors such as apparel, chemicals and footwear will get duty-free entry into the 27-nation bloc, while the EU will get access to the Indian market at concessional duty for cars and wines, an official said.
The deal has been dubbed the "mother of all deals" as it will create a market of about 2 billion people.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.07 per cent lower at 96.14.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading 0.43 per cent lower at USD 67.28 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex jumped 487.20 points to settle at 82,344.68, while Nifty surged 167.35 points to 25,342.75.
Foreign Institutional Investors turned net buyers and purchased equities worth Rs 480.26 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.
