Mysuru: Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree is very keen to take the Jumboo Savari (Da) to international standards by matching it with the Republic Day (RD) parade in New Delhi.

Chairing a meeting on Dasara Sub-Committees at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here yesterday morning, she said, “The discipline, dedication, neatness, perfection, all hallmark of the RD Parade is the benchmark this time for the Jumboo Savari. The Sub-Committee members should focus all their energies to match the RD Parade.”

In all, there will be 40 tableaux and what needs to be decided is whether one cultural team should follow a tableau or two tableaux should follow a cultural team. “It is also very important that the cultural troupes participating in the procession should all sport the same coloured uniforms to bring about discipline and neatness like in the RD parade in Delhi,” said Umashree.

There are already 250 applications received to participate in the procession. The Minister suggested that two rehearsals should be held utilising the services of Janapada Academy and the decision must be taken to hold the rehearsals either inside the Palace premises or in open grounds outside. A final rehearsal must also be held before the final procession on Vijayadashami, she said.

This year only international artistes would be invited to perform in front of the Mysore Palace. “The artistes of international repute hesitate to approach the Government officials as most of them have ended with bad experiences. Hence, it is important to identify those who have not approached us and  invite them well in advance,” said Umashree.

However, local artistes will be given opportunity to perform and hence 40 per cent of them will be from mofussil area, 30 per cent from the State, 15 per cent national and 15 per cent international artistes, she said.

The Karnataka Nataka Academy has produced 21 plays related to women and children issues. These plays will be staged at the Town Hall, she said.