Mysuru Aims to Shine as a Global Hub for Art and Culture, Says CM D.K. Shivakumar

During the glittering Dasara festivities in Mysuru, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar took a moment to look beyond the traditional fanfare and speak about the city’s future – a future he envisions as a global beacon for art and culture.

Standing in the historic palace grounds, the minister handed over the State Sangeetha Vidwan Award to Mysuru’s own Nagamani Srinath, a classical vocalist whose career spans six‑plus decades. “Her life is a symphony of dedication,” Shivakumar said, his voice softening as he recalled her 65 years of service to music and literature.

Shivakumar didn’t stop at the award ceremony. He described Mysuru as “the cradle of Karnataka’s artistic soul” and promised that the state will pull out all the stops to make the city a magnet for artists, performers and scholars from every corner of the globe.

“Our philosophy is simple: achievement through empowerment, development through awareness, equality through culture, and peace through equality,” he explained, a line that echoed through the assembled crowd. The chief minister’s words were punctuated by occasional pauses, as if letting the weight of the vision settle in the night air.

In a nod to the past, Shivakumar reminded everyone that electricity first lit up Mysuru Palace and Kolar Gold Fields back in 1902, thanks to the Shivanasamudra hydro‑project. “Just as that early light brightened the city, we want today’s cultural ‘light’ to spread across Karnataka and beyond,” he said.

He also highlighted the city’s age‑old treasures – silk, sandalwood, traditional Mysore paintings – insisting that they too deserve a place on the world stage. “A mango can’t be harvested by chanting a mantra, and a stone won’t become a statue without a chisel. Likewise, art needs hard work, not just applause,” he added, a gentle reminder that recognition follows effort.

Beyond the lofty ambitions, the chief minister announced practical steps. The newly formed Praja Seva Department will roll out welfare schemes right to citizens’ doorsteps and serve as a listening post for grievances. He promised a personal visit to Mysuru soon, to hear the people’s concerns first‑hand.

Even the Union Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, is on board. Shivakumar said Singh has agreed to feature tableaux representing India’s three defence wings in the upcoming Dasara pageantry – another feather in the cap for Mysuru’s cultural showcase.

As the night drew to a close, the palace was bathed in a soft glow, echoing the minister’s hope that Mysuru’s artistic light will continue to shine brighter, reaching audiences far beyond the city’s historic walls.