Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

Festivities begin

DECLINING PRACTISE The conch-blowing competition saw 15 competitors in all

Ganesha is undoubtedly one of the most revered Gods in India and the festival to celebrate him too reverberates this emotion. The city on Sunday witnessed one such unique way to mark the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, which falls on Sept 3, in the form of conch blowing competition organised by the Sarvajanika Sri Ganeshotsav Samiti, Prathapnagar, at Sanghaniketan. The competitions that began on Sunday will conclude with garland weaving competition on September 4.

Raghuveer Kamath, Secretary of the Keshava Smriti Samvardhana Samiti, that looks after the administration of the Sanghaniketan said, “Every year, for about five decades now, we have been holding various competitions for school and college students as well as the general public. Keeping with the tradition of introducing new competitions on a trail basis, we have introduced conch blowing competition for men from the current year as this practice is slowly declining. Apart from an attempt to preserve and promote our culture and tradition, we come up with some entertaining competitions for we want participants to break away from their otherwise sedentary and mundane lifestyles in the pretext of the festivities,” he added.

The conch-blowing competition with Ganesh from Mannagudda as the first contestant saw 15 competitors in all. The environment was that of camaraderie and excitement with contestants cheering each other to excel. It was sheer showcase of breath control by Arun G. Shet, a diamond merchant who clocked 73 seconds in two rounds of competitions to emerge the winner. Girish and Ganesh, who recorded 68 seconds and 56 seconds, respectively bagged the other two places. Shet, happy with the victory, said he required no special preparation. It was sheer experience as he has been blowing the conch for religious and social ceremonies from his childhood days. Kamath reiterated that no formal training was given prior to the event. Each one had to bring their own conch for the purpose. But not bringing a conch did not disqualify the contestants from participation, he clarified.

Speaking about garland-weaving competition for women, yet another unique attempt, Kamath said it was introduced as technique of weaving flowers by women at home is superior than that found commercially, and it needs to be preserved. Here, the women need to weave a garland not less than one metre in length and they will be given an hour to complete the same. The flowers and the required raw materials need to be brought by the contestants. Kamath added, “Ganeshotsava Samiti is formed under the Samvardhana Samiti for holding the Chaturthi programmes. We Ganeshotsava Samiti members meet about three months before the festival to decide on competitions to be organised. About 25 days before the competition, we inform all schools in the City Corporation limits. We expect about 300 participants in all for various competitions such as rangoli competitions, drawing competitions, which has been a regular feature,” he informs.

SUSHMA BARVATHAYA

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail