Tableaux float their way into crowds' hearts

Dasara is into the 407th year, but the grandeur has only magnified and continues to attract people from across the globe.

Visitors travel down to the city to be a part of the festivities, especially the Jamboo Savari. Lakhs of people thronged the Mysuru Palace and the streets of the city on Saturday, to have a glimpse of the procession of the golden howdah on elephant back, led by tableaux and folk art troupes.

More than 1,600 people from various districts were part of the tableaux and cultural troupes. In all, there were 40 tableaux and around 50 cultural troupes. They were cheered by the crowd throughout the route. The roadsides were occupied by the people right from 10 am to have a glimpse of the annual procession, which began from the Mysuru Palace and culminated at Bannimantap.

Star attraction
There were many attractions, but the tableau of the lesser known Rangathanaswami temple at Rangasthala, by Chikkaballapur Zilla Panchayat was the showstopper. The reclined replica of the deity, in black, reminded many of the Ranganathaswami temple at Srirangapatna.

The Forest department’s tableau on the theme ‘save forest for water’ was done well, showcasing cloud-seeding. Dark clouds, showers and a replica of a dam indicating evaporation were featured. The ill-effects of development destroying nature were highlighted.

With the Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka scheduled to be held in February 2018, the replica of Bahubali’s monolithic statue at Shravanabelagola was recreated by the Kannada and Culture department.

The tableau by Gadag Zilla Panchayat showcased the importance of unity in diversity. A temple priest hugging a Muslim person in the backdrop of the Veeranarayana temple, Jamia Masjid and Trikoteshwara temple sent the message across.

Chamarajanagar district’s tableau highlighted its popular folk art and Male Mahadeshwara Hill.

With saint Ramanujacharya’s Sahasramanotsava (1,000th year) being celebrated this year, Mandya district showcased the Melkote temple and a huge statue of Ramanuja.

Historical places like Belur and Halebid were part of the tableau from Hassan district, inviting everyone for the Mahamastabhisheka.

Government’s achievements
The tableau of the Information department displayed the achievements of the Siddaramaiah-led government, with a huge flex of the chief minister greeting the crowd. It shed light on schemes like Anna Bhagya, Krishi Bhagya and Ksheera Bhagya.

The tableau of the Health department was attractive with a huge red mosquito breeding on garbage, creating awareness about the dreaded dengue, chikungunya and others diseases. A huge statue of a saffron-clad rishi preparing ayurvedic medicine, highlighting the benefits of yoga, was part of the float.

The tableau by Bengaluru Urban district showcased Indira Canteen, the government’s initiative of providing food to the poor in Bengaluru.

A float on the Wadiyar kings' contribution to promote social justice, education and development was presented by Mysuru district. A tableau by the State Bank of India highlighted digital banking services.