Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar chaired a high-level preparatory meeting at the Vidhana Soudha Conference Hall in Bengaluru on Friday, 10 July 2026, issuing a set of directives to make Nada Habba Dasara 2026 a festival that reflects Karnataka's culture on a national and international stage.

Context

The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka shared the details of the meeting, outlining eight specific instructions issued by CM Shivakumar to departments and organising committees. The post, written in Kannada, states that the festival must be celebrated in a manner that showcases Karnataka's heritage to the world — 'desa-videsagalalli Karnataka sanskrithiya pratibimbisuva mahotsava' (a festival that reflects Karnataka's culture domestically and abroad).

The directives stress that Mysore Dasara, as a historical and heritage festival, must retain its dignity while incorporating contemporary changes to meet international quality standards. Cultural programmes must remain aligned with the state's traditions and customs.

Policy Backdrop

Mysore Dasara is one of India's oldest state-supported cultural festivals, rooted in the traditions of the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysuru. The Karnataka government has organised it annually for decades, positioning it as a vehicle to project state heritage nationally and internationally.

CM Shivakumar specifically directed that the good traditions and systems established during the tenure of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah — who held office from 2013 to 2018 — must be continued. Siddaramaiah's tenure set precedents for inter-departmental coordination and the invitation of nationally recognised artists to the festival.

The meeting also noted a significant rise in tourist footfall following the implementation of the Shakti Yojane, the state government's scheme providing free bus travel to women. The CM directed that necessary infrastructure and arrangements be further strengthened to accommodate the increased visitor numbers.

Stakeholders and Impact

CM Shivakumar directed that organising committees set aside political differences and focus solely on the success of the festival. The instruction is significant given that Dasara committees typically include representatives from multiple political affiliations across local bodies and state departments.

The CM also directed that the tradition of inviting nationally renowned singers, musicians, and artists be continued to offer quality cultural programmes to the public. All government departments have been asked to work in coordination to ensure seamless execution.

Tourists, cultural artists, and residents of Mysuru are the primary stakeholders. The festival draws visitors from across India and abroad, making infrastructure readiness and cultural programming central to its success.

What's Next

The government is expected to constitute formal Dasara 2026 organising committees following the preparatory meeting. Announcements on infrastructure enhancements, artist line-ups, and programme schedules are anticipated in the weeks ahead.

CM Shivakumar also noted that criticism of the festival is natural, but directed officials not to give it undue weight — instead focusing entirely on delivering a festival that meets public expectations. With the Shakti Yojane continuing to drive higher footfall, the 2026 edition is being planned with a sharper focus on scalability and international visibility.