Date:10/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101058260300.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

Scintillating torchlight parade leaves Mysoreans spellbound

Staff Correspondent

Laser beam show and ballets add glitter to the colourful programme

MYSORE: A scintillating display of colourful fireworks here on Thursday night as part of the torchlight parade marked the end of the Dasara festival.

The crowd at the Bannimantap Ground looked up in awe as the glittering fireworks lit up the sky at the end of the torchlight parade featuring a variety of programmes.

A laser show tracing the history of Mysore and its glorious traditions handed down from one generation to another captivated the spectators at the venue. A new addition to the torchlight parade this year, the laser beam show was staged in the backdrop of exciting and melodious tunes of “Vande Mataram” composed by music director A.R. Rahman.

Governor Rameshwar Thakur took the salute from the marching contingents of police, Home Guards and Scouts and Guides. Soon, the daredevil motorcycle team of Army Service Corps (ASC) took to the ground and enthralled the crowd with their stunning feats. The ASC motorcycle team, which has found a place in Guinness Book of World Records by carrying 251 men on 11 motorcycles, performed an array of breathtaking acts during the event.

Ballets were also part of the torchlight parade programme with artistes from theatre troupes staging a performance at the venue.

An equestrian show by the Mounted Police added glitter to the colourful programme, which was watched among others by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, district in-charge Minister Shobha Karandlaje and Mayor Ayub Khan. The audience also reserved a round of applause for the trainees of the Police Training School at Channapatna, who marched through the ground holding burning torches as lights were switched off to create a pitch dark ambience. The trainee policemen formed various formations holding the burning flames to create imageries of phrases “Happy Dasara”, “Jai Chamundi”, “Kaverige Namana” and “Jai Hind”.

The torchlight parade concluded without any downpour unlike previous years. However, the torchlight parade was marred by a demonstration by corporators, who were protesting against the alleged ill-treatment of Mr. Khan. However, the situation returned to normal following the intervention of the Chief Minister, who sought to calm the frayed tempers of the corporators.