Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that renowned music director Hamsalekha will inaugurate this year’s Dasara festivities in Mysuru.
Speaking to reporters on August 29 after visiting Goddess Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi hills, along with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and some of his Cabinet colleagues, he said the government decided to invite the eminent musician to inaugurate the famous celebrations in October this year.
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The Chief Minister, who heads the Dasara High-Power Committee, made the announcement after visiting the temple on the occasion of his government completing 100 days in office.
A masterful composer, lyricist
Hamsalekha, 72, is both a music composer and film lyricist. He is credited with bringing a shift in Kannada film music, with his rustic use of spoken language. His collaboration with film-maker Ravichandran, with whom he also wirked as screenplay and dialogue writer, lasted for nearly two decades. “Premaloka” was their first and most famous collaboration.
He has won the National film award for best music direction once in 1995, state award in the same category thrice and for best lyrics twice, apart from six Filmfare awards. Hamsalekha has also been awarded the Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of Karnataka in 2012. He started the Desi Sangeeta Shale, which he runs as a principal.
Known for his outspoken liberal views, Hamsalekha had in 2021 run into controversy over his remarks about the seer of the Pejavar Mutt. He had been questioned by the police following a complaint by Akhila Bharata Brahmana Mahasabha. Progressive groups had then rallied around him.
Grandeur to mark Dasara celebrations
The government has already announced that the celebrations would be grand this year.
The first batch of Dasara elephants is arriving in Mysuru on September 1. The Gajapayana of nine elephants led by Abhimanyu, who carries the golden howdah, has been scheduled on September 1 at Veeranahosahalli in Nagarahole. Arrangements are being made at the venue to welcome the elephants from their respective camps.
Minister in-charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa will be welcoming the elephants and flagging off the Gajapayana. The elephants will be formally welcomed at the Mysuru palace on September 4. Mahouts, kavadis and their families will accompany elephants from various forest camps. Temporary accommodation has been arranged for them near the palace where the elephants will be camping until the Dasara finale.
