MYSURU, 24 AUG   

Dasara is a religious festival, not a literary event, Former Mysuru MP Pratap Simmha said, as he criticised the State government for asking International Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to felicitate the celebrations atop Chamundi Hills.

“Dasara is steeped in religiosity and has a history of over four hundred years in Mysuru,” he said.  “I’m not questioning the writer’s literary contributions but want to know if she believes in the Hindu gods.” 

Mushtaq is from the Muslim community.

Simmha condemned the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for breaking tradition. 

As the festival was religious, the government shouldn’t invite writers, he said.

“The State Government must explain to the people how Banu Mushtaq is the best choice for Dasara inaugural function,” he said.

Awards must not be the criteria for inaugurating the Nada Habba Dasara, he remarked. 

“Even Sandalwood actor Rishab Shetty has received the National Award for his cinema. Will the government invite him also?” he asked.

The ten-day Nada Habba Dasara festivities commences by showering flowers on the idols of Goddess Chamundeshwarai, the presiding deity of Mysuru and its royals amid traditional, chanting of vedic hymns on the premises of Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi Hills in Mysuru on the first day of Navarathri festival.

Notably, Mushtaq hasn’t clarified if she will offer to puja to the Hindu deities. 

The festivities showcase the State's cultural heritage. Various programmes will be held during these auspicious days of Navratri, during which the palace, major streets, turnarounds or circles and buildings of Mysuru will be beautified by illuminating them with lights, fondly known as "Deepalankara".

Earlier, Mushtaq had express joy for being asked to inaugurate the festival. 

“My father worked at KRS (Krishna Raja Sagar). Every year during Dasara, our family would visit Mysuru. I have seen Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar in person. But never in my dreams did I imagine that one day I would be inaugurating the Dasara festival myself,” she had said. 

“The choice to involve me sends a strong message about respecting diversity, encouraging women’s representation, and celebrating Kannada culture.”

Mushtaq will inaugurate the Dasara Mahotsav on 22 September.