Copyright thehindu
It was an exploration of city’s landmark monuments riding the iconic Shah Pasand carriages during the Heritage Tonga Ride, held here as part of Mysuru Dasara on Saturday. Organised by the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, in association with the Department of Tourism, the event was open to couple clad in traditional attire in what was a blending of tradition with heritage exploration. Twenty-five couples took part in the event that was organized not only to spread greater awareness on conservation of heritage but popularise traditional attire. The reason the horse-drawn carriages were used for the heritage ride was that Mysuru was known for tongas till the 1970s and were gradually supplanted by motorised vehicles. In the present times, there are a handful of such carriages still operating and this is another slice of Mysuru heritage that is on the verge of going extinct; and the imperatives of their preservation. The tonga ride commened from Town Hall, which is one of the oldest structures in Mysuru, and is also among the most regal. Kannada film actor-director Prakash Thuminad flagged off the ride, and his wife was also part of the event. The couples who were drawn from across the district participated in the event and while men wore the traditional Mysuru peta, panche and shalya, women were clad in silk sarees adorned with Mysuru Mallige or jasmine, which is a specialty of the region and has been accorded the Geographical Indication tag. However, it was not a monoculture in attire that was on display as couples also showcased regional styles representing north Karnataka, Kodagu, and other traditions. Inaugurating the event, Mr. Prakash Thuminad said Mysuru Dasara was one of its kind which was known globally, and the tonga ride would not only highlight the local heritage but also inspire the new generation to take step towards conservation. He said the usage of traditional dress, now mostly worn on special occasions or during temple visits, should become more widespread. The heritage ride covered various landmarks of the city, including the Silver Jubilee Clock Tower, Amba Vilas Palace, K.R.Circle, Lansdowne Building, Jaganmohan Palace, proceeded towards Mysuru City Corporation, Maharaja’s Sanskrit College, CADA office, Gun House Circle, and Jayachamara Circle before terminating at the Town Hall. A. Devaraju, Commissioner, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, Deputy Director C.N. Manjula, heritage experts N.S. Rangaraju and Shalva Pille Iyengar, were among those present.
