Former Dasara howdah carrier Arjuna remembered; Magic of Kanthara recreated on stage; The week-long cultural event extended for a day to end this evening

Mysuru: Dance performances paying tributes to former Dasara howdah carrier elephant Arjuna, slogans hailing the deity Male Mahadeshwara and the signature dance of Kanthara, the National Award winning Sandalwood film, depicting the divine force, left the audience spellbound at Dasara Yuva Sambhrama, which completed its seventh day, at Open Air Theatre in Manasagangothri here yesterday.

Students of various colleges brought elephant Arjuna, who with his majestic look, had won the heart of all carrying 750-kg Golden howdah for consecutive eight times during Jumboo Savari, alive with their dance performances. The jal..jal… sound of the anklets produced symmetrically, paid obeisance to the deity Mahadeshwara.

National Integrity

The slogan ‘Mera Bharat Mahaan’ reverberated through the open air auditorium, creating a patriotic fervour, reminding of the exemplary courage of the women in the past. The dance performances for the songs  Deva Sri Ganesha, Rama, Ravana and Hanumantha, Bhadrakali and another on environmental awareness, offered a mix of entertainment, sending the youths gaga over the foot-tapping moves of the upcoming talents.

The student troupes from Shanthi Arts, Science and Commerce College, Malavalli, Government First Grade College, K.R. Nagar and Government First Grade College, H.D. Kote dedicated their dance performances to elephant Arjuna.

Ughe… Ughe slogans in reverence to Lord Mahadeshwara, raised by the troupes of students from SCMS PU College, Madapura, H.D. Kote, Vidya Sinchana College, SC/ST Residential College and Government First Grade College, Chamarajanagar, performed to the beatings of tamate (the native drum) unveiled the magic of folk arts, the desi form of arts of yore.

Daiva Narthana

Students of VVN PU College, Bengaluru, artfully worshipped God Varaha recreating ‘Daiva Narthana’ (Godly Dance) from the celluloid ‘Kanthara.’ Similarly, the young talents from Government First Grade College, Koppa, ATME College of Engineering (ATMECE), Mysuru, GSSS Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women (GSSSIETW) and JSS Polytechnic for Physically Handicapped, Mysuru, performed the dance ballets like- Durga, Kali, Ganesha, Rama, Ravana and Anjaneya, creating a sense of divinity.

The warriors of freedom movement like Kittur Rani Chennamma, Jhansi Rani Laxmibai and Onake Obavva, who fought the intruders to Chitradurga fort, also came alive, with the dance performances by students of MMK Independent College, H.D. Kote. The spirit of Kannada was unveiled by the students of Srikanteshwara PU College. Students of SIT Polytechnic College, Melukote and Police Public School, Mysuru, sent a message of national integrity with their performance for the song Mera Bharat Mahan.

Farmers ,who are famously called as ‘Annadata,’ was also given his due, with the students of Sambuddha Independent PU College, Rajivnagar, Mysuru, waving green shawls, symbolising the farmers. The contributions of Constitution Expert Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was also aptly recalled, with the performance of the students from Government Women’s FGC, K.R. Pet.

The message for protecting environment and wildlife resonated with the students of D. Banumaiah’s PU College, Mysuru, creating awareness on the significance of natural resources by saying strict NO against using plastic.

To conclude today

Yuva Sambhrama that was scheduled to conclude yesterday, has been extended for a day till today. The extension of the schedule was made to accommodate over 400 college troupes that had enrolled to perform in the annual event. Today being the last day, over 60 college troupes will be performing, said Chairman of Dasara Yuva Sambhrama Sub-Committee Dr. Gurumurthy.