Mysuru: Well-known Kannada poet K S Nissar Ahmed will inaugurate the Dasara festivities atop Chamundi Hills on September 21. The high power committee headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has finalised the name of Ahmed, the great poet who penned down ‘Jogada Siri Belakinalli’, an ode to the beauty of Karnataka, that remains to be an all time favourite of Kannadigas.
After welcoming dasara elephants at Mysuru palace premise, District Minister HC Mahadevappa revealed the same.
Deputy Commissioner D Randeep said, “We had shortlisted eight names and submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. After going through the list, Chief Minister zeroed in on KS Nissar Ahmed to do the honors. We had contacted the poet on Thursday and conveyed the Government’s decision, to which he has happily obliged. He will be officially invited, once the invitation cards are printed. We expect to extend an official invitation by first week of September,” the DC said.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, 81-year-old KS Nissar Ahmed who has written over 40 books in his glorious literary journey spanning over 60 years said that he is happy about the decision of the CM.
“On Thursday morning Deputy Commissioner D Randeep called me and told that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has selected me to inaugurate the dasara, I was surprised. My name was doing rounds even last year, along with Sachin Tendulkar and Channaveera Kanavi. I want to thank our Chief Minister, Mysuru District in-charge Minister HC Mahadevappa and other committee members for this honour,” he said adding that Dasara is more of a cultural event than a religious event.
“This honour and recognition is all because of love and affection of Kannadigas,” he added.
