Tribals soak in the Dasara spirit

Mysore: Bommi, 83, a tribal woman from the   Bandipur forests, burst into an impromptu  dance along with 33 other tribal women, excited at the sight of the colourful rangolis before the Kote Anjaneya swamy temple at the  northern gate of the Mysore Palace. Inspired by the women, the men began to play on their percussion instruments.

Their spontaneity was an attraction in itself at the Mysore Dasara on Friday . Never having seen the cultural extravaganza that unfolds evey year in the royal city, the   tribals were wonder- eyed with  excitement.

They were brought to the city with 2000  farmers from villages of eight taluks of Mysore, four taluks of Mandya and six taluks of Chamarajnagar  in 36 buses for  Dasara darshan  by KSRTC.

In all ,  the transport corporation plans to bring 1000 tribals and 8,570 farmers who have never seen Dasara and the tourist attractions of  Mysore over a five day Dasara Darshan programme to the city. “Although I have come to Mysore in the past, I have never seen the Dasara. I have no words to express my happiness, ” said an ecstatic Bommi.