Noted Kannada poet of Navya Movement and Padmashree Awardee Kokkare Hosahalli Sheikh Haider Nissar Ahmed popular known as Prof. K.S. Nissar Ahmed will inaugurate this year’s Dasara celebrations. In a telephonic interview with Star of Mysore, Prof. Nissar Ahmed said that he felt highly  honoured  to inaugurate the Naada Habba.  Here are the excerpts.

By Homma Manjunath

Star of Mysore (SOM): You will inaugurate Dasara 2017. What is your reaction?

Prof. K.S. Nissar Ahmed: I am extremely happy and this is a rare and special honour. It will be a proud moment for me to participate in the world-famous Dasara.

SOM: Did you anticipate that you will be invited to inaugurate Dasara?

Prof. Nissar Ahmed: I had not thought about it this time though my name had figured in the list of probable guests who would inaugurate the festival last year. For some reason or the other I was not selected last year and I had forgotten about that. Mysuru Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep telephoned me to say that I was selected as this year’s Dasara guest. I was extremely happy and surprised too. I thank Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, Mysuru District In-charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa and DC D. Randeep for the opportunity.

SOM: Your thoughts on Mysuru Dasara?

Prof. Nissar Ahmed: Mysuru is Karnataka’s cultural capital, where art, culture and literature have deep roots and these roots have laid a firm foundation to the city’s rich cultural heritage. Mysuru’s cultural heritage is beyond caste and religion. Wherever you see in Mysuru it is Kannada with its various forms including folklore, ancient and modern literature, dance and music. All these are reflected during Dasara. There are many writers in Mysuru and the city has a rich musical tradition. Performers like Veene Sheshanna, Bidaram Krishnappa and Vasudevacharya have left an indelible mark in the minds of music lovers and their music is treated with reverence.

SOM: How do you describe Dasara?

Prof. Nissar Ahmed: Kannada has a rich legacy, strength and tradition. Dasara has the power to spread the message of Kannada, its uniqueness and richness. I have been a Kannada writer since the last 60 years and as a result I have been recognised and have been invited to inaugurate Dasara. This is an honour and recognition I have got from the people of Karnataka and Kannadigas.

SOM: As a littérateur, what is your relationship with Mysuru?

Prof. Nissar Ahmed: Mysuru is very close to my heart and I love the city. I came to Mysuru for the first time in 1957 and I had recited a poem I wrote at a poets’ meet headed by Rashtrakavi Kuvempu at Town Hall in 1959. This apart, I have come to Mysuru many times and have recited many poems at Dasara poets’ meet (kavigoshtis). I have even presided over such poets’ meet at least three to four times. I have many friends and well-wishers in Mysuru and have a close relationship with the city.

SOM: Your thoughts on Dasara that was celebrated during Wadiyar’s rule and the Dasara that is celebrated now.

Prof. Nissar Ahmed: There is a sea of difference. Earlier, the Maharaja used to sit inside the Golden Howdah and take part in the procession. A king was a godly figure then and thousands of villagers used to come and see the procession. In a democracy, however, common people are the kings. Even if you take cultural programmes now, they are being staged with much grandeur than they were celebrated earlier. As we have advanced scientifically, we are able to tell the world through Dasara that we are culturally rich too. Also, it is a matter of pride that thousands of tourists come from foreign land to witness the spectacular Naada Habba every year.

SOM: How grand Dasara should be?

Prof. Nissar Ahmed:  It must be celebrated in a grand manner as it has a history of more than 400 years. We have got the celebrations as a gift from Vijayanagar rulers and the Wadiyars and every possible effort must be made to celebrate the festival in a memorable way. There might be vagaries of weather. But a human being must understand nature before he exploits it. He must understand that relentless exploitation will make the nature hit back. It is the duty of everyone to participate in Dasara celebrations.