‘Kambala will get greater value if held separately’

Conducting Kambala during Dasara will not add to its significance: Pramoda Devi

Mysuru: Member of the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family Pramoda Devi Wadiyar said Kambala, the traditional buffalo race of coastal Karnataka, has its own unique significance and should preferably be organised separately rather than as part of the Mysuru Dasara festivities.

Addressing a press conference at the residential wing of the Mysore Palace yesterday evening, she said Kambala would receive greater recognition if conducted independently.

“In my view, Kambala has its own importance. Conducting it during Dasara will not add to its prominence. Personally, I feel it is not necessary to bring it into Dasara. I am not against Kambala enthusiasts, but if celebrated independently, it would receive more encouragement. As part of Dasara, it will not gain the same boost,” she said.

On the Government’s move to give a new form to Jumboo Savari procession, she said: “If the Government seeks my advice, I can give suggestions. But it is this generation that should decide what kind of procession they want.”

Responding to the view that a grand Dasara may not be appropriate amid drought and inadequate rainfall, she said Dasara was inherently a grand festival.

“Dasara by its very nature is grand. Even if scaled down, it retains the grandeur. The very word ‘Dasara’ signifies magnificence. The festival itself is a prayer that rains should not cause hindrance and if rains fail, it is a prayer that they come in future. Dasara is a symbol of hope,” she said.

Legal disputes

On the ownership of Doddakere Maidan, where the Dasara Exhibition Grounds is located, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar said the Court had ordered maintenance of status quo.

“The Government must file applications in this regard. As far as I know, no such applications have been filed yet,” she said.

Asked how many cases were pending in Court, she laughed and said: “Too many to count. We have won several, but in many, Court orders have not been implemented. Shashiranjan Grounds near the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel remains under our ownership. We had to fence the grounds fully due to disturbances created by some persons.”

K.C. Layout issues

On reports that intermediaries were claiming to be negotiating with the Royal Family over the K.C. Layout disputes, she clarified that the family had given no assurances to anyone.

“Some people attend events at the Palace, take photos with us and then claim they have spoken to the Royal Family. We have given no assurances to anyone,” she said.

Regarding increasing number of buildings on Chamundi Hill, she said the Hill had changed considerably over the years.

“The hill is no longer what it once was; it is growing like a town. I cannot say who is responsible. After Dasara, I will show you photos of how Chamundi Hill used to be. You will be surprised to see the difference,” she said.

Damage to Rajendra Vilas Palace at Hilltop

Pramoda Devi said that large-scale rock blasting activities to break huge rocks during the construction of a parking lot on Chamundi Hill had caused vibrations that resulted in cracks in the Rajendra Vilas Palace.

“We did not complain to anyone. For safety, we installed a gate at Devikere, but some people broke it. They were not ordinary citizens; those who should not have done such things were the ones who did,” she rued.

She added that renovation of the Bettada Aramane atop Chamundi Hill was underway, with plans to inaugurate it in the first week of November. “We hope Goddess Chamundeshwari blesses us to complete it. As for costs, there has not been much expense. Old materials were reused, so the expenditure has been minimal,” she said.

‘Ambari is safe’

Asked about complaints that tourists are unable to view the Golden Howdah (Ambari) and speculation that it was under repair, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar said she had herself closed it following claims that it did not belong to the Royal Family.

“Some people had written that the Ambari does not belong to the Royal Family. Because of that, I myself had it closed. It is safe,” she said. Dismissing speculation that the Ambari had been stolen, she asked: “If the Ambari was stolen, wouldn’t a complaint have to be filed? Can anyone simply lift it and carry it away?”