Mysuru: Around 6,500 children are participating in the two-day Children’s Dasara, which began at Karnataka Kalamandira in Mysuru on Wednesday, bringing together young performers from government schools, Tibetan settlements, mahout families and groups of children with disabilities.

The cultural event, organised as part of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations, provides a platform for children to showcase their talents through processions, traditional performances, drawing and rangoli competitions, and other activities celebrating Karnataka’s cultural heritage.

According to Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) D Udaykumar, at least 40% of the participants are from government schools. Around 500 children from diverse backgrounds, including children of mahouts, children from Tibetan settlements in Bylakuppe and children with physical and intellectual disabilities, are taking part in the celebrations.

Kalathon marks beginning of Children’s Dasara

The celebrations began on Wednesday morning with a Kalathon, in which approximately 1,200 children marched from the north gate of Mysuru Palace to Maharaja’s College grounds.

National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers and National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets joined the procession. Around 300 children dressed in traditional costumes representing Karnataka’s cultural heritage and the traditions of Mysuru Dasara added colour to the event.

The procession offered young participants an opportunity to celebrate the region’s history and traditions while taking part in a large public cultural gathering.

Madhu Bangarappa inaugurates celebrations

Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa inaugurated Children’s Dasara by honouring three young achievers: T B Rachana, a child actor in a popular television serial; T Tanushree, a sports achiever from T Narasipur; and Vinayaka Hallikeri from Dharwad, who has excelled in sports despite physical challenges.

Addressing the gathering, the minister said opportunities to display their talents during Dasara would help children develop confidence and leadership qualities.

He also highlighted the state government’s plans to expand educational infrastructure and improve access to quality schooling.

1,220 Karnataka public schools planned

Madhu Bangarappa announced that 1,220 new Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) are planned to be launched from June next year. The proposed schools are intended to provide 14 years of free and quality education, with facilities including qualified teachers, free transportation and textbooks under one roof.

The government is also considering establishing 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools with support from corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.

Referring to the scale of the state’s education system, the minister said Karnataka has around 1.16 crore children studying in approximately 55,000 schools. Of these, 46 lakh children attend government and aided schools.

He said most of the problems faced by government schools had been resolved and that the recruitment process for 16,000 teachers to fill vacancies had begun.

The proposed school expansion and teacher recruitment are expected to strengthen the public education system, although the implementation of the announced initiatives will determine how quickly students benefit from the measures.

Children showcase Mysuru’s traditions

The cultural programme featured children portraying historical figures and recreating elements of Mysuru’s royal heritage.

Daksha Siri V, a Class 7 student, dressed as a maharani, while Tushith Sai, a Class 5 student, appeared as a maharaja of the erstwhile royal family. Both expressed excitement about participating in the walkathon.

Artistic talent was another major attraction, with around 200 children taking part in rangoli and drawing competitions based on Mysuru Dasara. Dwithi K, a Class 9 student, created a rangoli depicting Mysuru Palace.

Other artworks featured elephants, Goddess Chamundeshwari in her nine forms, and different aspects of the Dasara tradition.

The competitions gave students an opportunity to express their understanding of the festival through visual art while engaging with the cultural identity of Mysuru.

Folk dances, music and theatre take centre stage

At least 32 teams are presenting cultural performances during the two-day event. The programme includes folk dances, Kamsale, bhajans, Sufi dance, plays and Bharatanatyam.

Students of the Government Higher Primary School at Manasagangotri are presenting a dance drama depicting Mahishasuramardini, the goddess who defeats the demon Mahishasura. Children from the Children’s Village School in Bylakuppe are showcasing Tibetan dance, reflecting the diversity of the participants and their cultural traditions.

The inclusion of performers from different communities and educational backgrounds makes Children’s Dasara a platform for cultural exchange as well as artistic expression.

Parents urged to limit children’s mobile phone use

Choodamani, president of the non-official committee associated with Children’s Dasara, urged parents to avoid handing mobile phones to children to pacify tantrums or keep them occupied while feeding them.

Her appeal highlighted concerns about children becoming dependent on mobile devices for entertainment and distraction. The event also served as an occasion to encourage families to support children’s development through participation in cultural, artistic and community activities.

With thousands of young participants, Children’s Dasara combines celebration with opportunities for learning, creativity and confidence-building. The event’s diverse programme highlights the role of children in preserving cultural traditions while providing them with a stage to demonstrate their abilities.