HAVING A BLAST: There was a perceptible increase in fireworks in Mysore during Deepavali this year. — PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

MYSORE: Did the city hit a new high underlining a change in lifestyle and outlook of residents of Mysore as indicated during the Deepavali celebrations this year? Is the quiet Deepavali of Mysore a thing of the past?

The answer is "yes" according to the discernible observers who opine that the decibel level was the highest in the living memory and more number of firecrackers was burst than before and the trend was increasing with each passing year.

But what was witnessed during the just-concluded Deepavali was unprecedented according to a few persons who drove up the Chamundi Hill and found the city sky lit up at night like never before.

While the traders dispute that more number of firecrackers were sold, there is a general perception that this year's Deepavali celebrations was indeed different and underlines the fact that the lifestyle of people is changing.

"It was not the quiet Deepavali that we all knew and the new generation believes in living it up and have no qualms about it," said a long-time resident well past his 60s.

High-decibel firecrackers were in demand and so were the fancy items. Most firecracker sellers operating in residential areas of the city had sold out their stock. But this was attributed to lesser number of loads that came from Sivakasi than in the previous years.

Less arrivals

"As against 40 truck loads that we sell, only 12 truck loads were brought from Sivakasi," said a trader refuting that there were brisk sales this year.

It is a known fact that the city is changing and efforts are on to conserve its cultural ethos. But what is undeniable is that there has been spurt in the economic activity and Mysore has emerged as a favourite destination for investors after Bangalore. There is a proliferation of IT companies and the income level of people has increased in recent years.

Small-time retail shops are making way for mega shopping complexes.

Fast food joints of MNCs specialising in pizzas and hamburgers have sprung up as is their desi variety doing brisk business with dosa and chats... . In short the city is undergoing an image makeover. The times are changing and, slowly, the pace of modern life is beginning to catch up.

Information from leading tour and travel operators here show that more people from Mysore have been enquiring about holiday packages in recent times like never before. Bottom line is that people have little qualms about spending their income than ever before.

The net impact is what economists call the "demonstration effect", where the one's lifestyle is emulated by others thus triggering off a chain reaction. And if this year's Deepavali celebration is an indication, the culture of conspicuous consumption has arrived in Mysore.

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