Mysuru: The 64th Kannada Rajyotsava witnessed grand celebrations in city on Nov.1 with people from different walks of life taking part in various programmes organised by District Administration.

While there were also celebrations organised by various organisations at different parts of the city, one unique celebration caught the attention of every person on road. It was a Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC) bus attached to City Bus Stand (CBS) that was decorated with flowers and banana stems. It resembled as though it was a new one that had just come out of the showroom. 

People, who travelled on-board City Bus Route No. 116 (CBS-Infosys), were distributed with laddus and were treated to some of the best Kannada movie songs sung by late Matinee Idol Dr. Rajkumar and other prominent playback singers. 

The bus, while its return to CBS on Sayyaji Rao Road, stopped by K.R. Circle and grabbed the attention of passersby who got into the bus just to experience a drive listening to Kannada songs while munching delicious laddu. It is driven by Jagadish, who has been serving KSRTC for the past 32 years. 

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Jagadish said that he had been celebrating Kannada Rajyotsava for more than three decades by decorating the bus with flowers and distributing sweets on Nov.1. 

“Earlier, I was celebrating in Hinkal. Later, I thought it would be better to extend the same to other parts of the city as well so that people, especially the tourists, get to know about Kannada language, land and its culture,”         said Jagadish.

The Kannada crusader has spent about Rs. 50,000 just to decorate the bus. It has the pictures of the prominent historic locations such as Nandi (atop Chamundi Hill), Hampi, Belur and Halebidu and much more. Jagadish has also displayed the photographs of eight Jnanpith awardees from Karnataka that includes Kuvempu, Da.Ra. Bendre, Shivram Karanth, Masti Venkatesha Iyenger, V.K. Gokak, U.R. Ananthamurthy, Girish Karnad and Chandrashekara Kambara. 

It also has the pictures of University of Mysore Crawford Hall, Vidhana Soudha, Mysore Palace and other important heritage structures which are the pride possessions of our State. There is also a picture of Dr. Rajkumar, Dr. Vishnuvardhan, Dr. Ambrish and Shankar Nag, the four legendary actors who have contributed immensely for the cause of Kannada land and films. 

“It took about 15 days to decorate the bus and arrange for music system. KSRTC officials have supported me in all my endeavours to contribute for promoting Kannada language,” said Jagadish.

While the flower decorations would be removed in the next couple of days after they get dried, the interior decoration will remain intact till the next Kannada Rajyotsava. Jagadish is accompanied by R.R. Prakash, conductor of the bus, who also contributes in Jagadish’s cause in promoting the classical language. 

One must travel in this bus driven by Jagadish to understand how much a Kannadiga loves his language, culture and tradition. ‘Sirigannadam Gelge, Sirigannadam Baalge.’