A 10-day cultural extravaganza, Shimoga Dasara, will be observed in the city from September 25 to October 4.
The State government has released Rs. 1 crore to the Shimoga City Corporation to conduct the festival in a grand manner.
Every year, a slew of cultural programmes, including a film festival and a theatre fest, are held to mark Shimoga Dasara. This year, sessions on yoga and meditation, and a food mela on the traditional cuisine of Malnad region will be held.
Performances by music troupes, led by renowned artistes Rajesh Krishnan and Hamsalekha, will be the highlight of this year’s event.
Rajesh Krishnan and troupe will perform on the evening of September 27 at Kuvempu Rangamandir while a troupe led by Hamsalekha will be held on the evening of October 2 at Nehru Stadium. Novelist Na. D’Souza will inaugurate this year’s Shimoga Dasara at Kote Chandika Durgaparameshwari temple in the city on September 29. ‘Mahila Dasara’ will be observed at Kuvempu Rangamandir on September 25 and 26 in which local women art troupes will perform. A two-day youth festival titled ‘Yuva Dasara’ will be observed at Sahyadri College on September 27 and 28.
‘Yoga Dasara’ will be observed at Kuvempu Rangamandir on September 27. Yoga expert N.L. Naik will present a demonstration from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Ayurveda experts from T.M.A.E.S. Ayurveda College will conduct a health check-up camp from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mallakamba and yoga performances will be presented by local artistes in the evening. Cultural programmes will be held for children as part of ‘Makkala Dasara’ at Kuvempu Rangamandir on October 1 and 2. Nehru Stadium will also play host to various cultural programmes from October 1 to 3.
Theatre festA theatre fest has been organised at Suvarna Samskruti Bhavan from September 25 to 29. A painting and photography exhibition will be held at Shivappa Nayaka Palace on September 29 and 30.
A colourful procession will be taken out in the main streets of the city on October 4, the day of Vijayadashami. An elephant from the Sakrebailu camp near here will carry the portrait of goddess Chamundeshwari placed in a decorated mantap during the procession.
The Dasara celebrations will conclude with Bannipooja, that will be performed on the National Education Society grounds in the evening.
