Dasara march focuses on K'taka's cultural tapestry

Left with very little regal splendour, the Dasara procession is more a colourful cultural pageantry on Sunday, with tableaux and folk troupes making up a major part of the Vijaya Dasami procession.

This year's procession was no different over the last few years. Tableaux focussed on the rich historic and traditional background of Karnataka, while the different contingents from districts from mofussil areas emphasised once again the rich folk culture, distinct for each district.

What is left of the royal splendour in the procession is just a half a dozen attractions, the major being the 750-kg golden howdah carried by a richly decorated tusker, the honour this time too going to Balarama for the 10th year.

The other survivors of past pageantry are the painted elephants, including the sacred elephant, elephant carriage, gun carriages, the silver palanquin, and the palace honours. The rest is a cultural display.

Tableaux like 'Soil to sericulture' of the Sericulture Department, 'World peace message' by the BEML Kannada Sangha with a model of BEML's sophisticated item, agricultural activities of the State Agricultural Marketing Board, 'Women empowerment' by the Department of Information, 'Literary feast for 13,000 children' by Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt and a couple of others highlighted the state's progress.

Some organisations thought fit to create awareness among rural folk, who come in large numbers for the procession. 'Safety awareness' by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, 'Vitamin A' by Swami Vivekananda Movement, 'Yoga training' by Pathanjali Yoga Shikshana Samithi and 'Pollution control' by the State Pollution Control Board were among them.

'Narasimharaja and Hampi temple' by Bellary, 'Tradition' by Mysore, 'Amrutheswara temple' by Chikmagalur were among the zilla panchayat tableaux focussing on the rich historical and cultural traditions of Karnataka.

The folk troupes comprising of over 300 artistes offered distinct folk display like the famous 'Beesu Kamsale' 'Veeragaase', 'Pooja Kunitha', 'Somana Kunitha', 'Onake Kunitha', 'Keelu Kudure', 'Gaarudi Gombe', 'Huli Vesha', 'Hejje Kunitha', 'Karadi Majalu', 'Kolata',' 'Dollu Kunitha' and a host of others.

The procession was followed by the torchlight parade, when the rains descended on the Banni Mantap grounds, brought the curtains down on the 10-day celebrations.