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The Introduction of the Kannada VersionOn the inaugural day of Dasara festival, Chief minister of Karnataka Mr. H D Kumaraswamy released the Kannada version of “Balarama’s story_An elephant’s journey” book, at the Royal Palace of Mysore. The grand event was graced with the presence of Mrs. Sudha Murty, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation. A stamp cover dedicated to Balarama was also unveiled on the same stage. D K Bhaskar and Alladi Jayasri had written this book in English inspired by the life of Dasara elephant Balarama which has successfully taken part in Dasara festivities for more than 20 years. In this period, he carried the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari on the fabled Golden Howdah as part of Jumboo Savari, 13 times, before he retired from the ranks. The Kannada version was released on Tuesday while the English edition was launched in the US last month. Maharaja of Mysore, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, has written the foreword. In his introduction, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar says, “The book highlights the importance of the elephant to the sub-continent and its traditions. The challenge is to maintain a balance between modernity and heritage. We need to see how we can give back to the elephants that have given us so much”. Currently, Balarama is leading a retired life in Mattigodu elephant camp in Nagarhole. The book consists of 90 colorful illustrations. I am extremely grateful to Bhaskar Dk , Rajeshshrivana Acharya and CLIC Abroad for giving this opportunity. Thank you everyone for the support and encouragement. — with Sahanashree Shettigar. In the city of Mysore, today marks the 10th day of Dasara Celebration. celebrates the victory of good over evil. The highlight of the last day is the spectacular parade with the leading elephant carrying the golden ambari. A tradition that has lived on for over 400 years started by the famous Wadiyar kings of Mysore kingdom. This is a painting of the lead elephant on the walls inside the beautiful Mysore Palace. To know all about the elephant Balarama, one that has carried the golden ambari 13 times in his life time, and now living a happy retired life in the Nagarhole National Park.
The Dasara elephant gets his own story book this festive season – one that relives his happy life in the forest, as well as draws attention to captivity and conservationFrom a forest to a palace, an elephant’s journey can be pretty complicated and full of uncomfortable instances. But in its child-friendly but real-world telling,Balarama’s Story – An Elephant’s Journey is a book that handholds a child through the gamut of an elephant’s life – here the real life of elephant Balarama.
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/a-book-for-balarama/article25174778.ece |
Bhaskar DKAuthor, Fulbright Specialist, Conservationist, Visual Storyteller Archives
November 2018
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