Hariharan, Niladri Kumar, Thaikkudam Bridge Band to add glitter

Mysore/Mysuru: Music lovers will have a feast of cultural diversity during this year’s Dasara Cultural Festival to be organised in front of Mysore Palace as artistes of national and international fame will be performing during the 11-day event.

The inauguration of Dasara atop Chamundi Hill on Sept. 22 morning sets the tone for the commencement of other Dasara activities in the city. The same evening, at 6 pm, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate Dasara cultural programmes in front of Mysore Palace and will present ‘Rajya Sangeeta Vidwan’ award for which the artiste is yet to be selected. Following this, renowned singer Hariharan will present vocal concert on the inaugural day.

This year, Dasara Cultural Sub-Committee will be organising a variety of programmes such as Karnatak and Hindustani vocal concerts, folk, bharatanatyam, sitar concert at 10 different venues including Mysore Palace, Jaganmohan Palace, Town Hall, Veene Sheshanna Bhavan, Dufferin Clock Tower, in front of Srikanteshwara Temple in Nanjangud among others.

The concerts at Mysore Palace will feature famous Kerala Band ‘Thaikkudam Bridge,’ well known Sitar artistes Niladri Kumar and Dr. Mohsin Khan, Karnatak vocalist Abhishek Raghuram and violinist Mysore M. Manjunath, Ananya Bhat of Mahadeva Mahadeva fame, Vijay Prakash, concert by ‘Chilkunda Sisters’ Indu Nagaraj-Lakshmi Nagaraj and Telugu playback singer Sunitha. Dance Guru Sridhar Jain of Apthamithra-fame and his troupe will also perform Shiva Thandava on one of the days.

The district administration had invited application from artistes and has received 1,317 applications. This year, the authorities will provide opportunity to about 500 troupes and 10,000 artistes to perform this year.

Opportunities to local artistes

This year, the District Administration will be providing opportunities to local artistes to perform during Dasara festival. Out of the total events, about 60 percent has been reserved for State-level artistes (local artistes), 20 percent to National-level artistes and 20 percent to International-level artistes. Emphasis will also be given to specially-abled artistes, women artistes and artistes from all communities and all forms.

—Dr. M.D. Sudarshan, Assistant Director, Department of Kannada and Culture