CM Shivakumar at Mysore Dasara Urdu Poetry Evening
Synopsis
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar addressed the Urdu Kavya Sanje at Mysore's Dasara exhibition grounds on 18 October 2026, calling literature a bridge between minds. Ministers, MPs and literary figures attended the multilingual cultural event, part of Karnataka's annual Dasara programme.
Key Takeaways
D K Shivakumar addressed the Urdu Kavya Sanje (Urdu Poetry Evening) at the Mysore Exhibition Authority grounds on 18 October 2026 .
The event was organised as part of the Mysore Dasara cultural calendar.
Ministers, Members of Parliament, elected representatives, and literary figures attended the programme.
Shivakumar said literature 'binds minds' and its beauty must reside in the heart, not just in words.
The Urdu poetry evening is part of Karnataka's tradition of including multilingual literary sessions in the Dasara programme alongside Kannada, Hindi and other language events.
Verses echoed through the grounds of the Mysore Exhibition Authority on the night of 18 October 2026, as Karnataka's Chief Minister's Office announced that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar addressed a special Urdu poetry evening organised as part of the Mysore Dasara festivities — reminding a packed audience that literature's beauty must live not only in words but in the heart.
Speaking at the Urdu Kavya Sanje (Urdu Poetry Evening), Shivakumar offered a thought that framed the night: 'Saahitya manasugalannu beseyuttade. Saahityadha soundarya padagallashte alla, hrudayadalloo irabeku' — 'Literature binds minds together. The beauty of literature must reside not merely in words, but in the heart as well.' Ministers, Members of Parliament, elected representatives, and literary figures were present at the venue.
Dasara's tradition of many tongues
The Urdu poetry evening is not an isolated gesture — it sits inside a deliberate, long-running practice. Karnataka governments across administrations have routinely woven multilingual literary sessions into the Dasara calendar at the exhibition grounds, placing Urdu programmes alongside Kannada, Hindi, and other language events to reflect the state's linguistic plurality. The Mysore Dasara, anchored in the Navaratri festival, is among India's most prominent public celebrations, drawing large crowds to its processions, exhibitions, and cultural stages.
Urdu poets and writers, along with the broader Mysore cultural audience, form the core constituency for events like the Kavya Sanje — an evening format that pairs recitation with reflection, giving the language a stage in a predominantly Kannada-speaking city. The Department of Kannada and Culture typically oversees this segment of the programme, with further literary events expected as the Dasara schedule runs its course.
Point of View
And placing an Urdu literary event on that stage sends a message to minority-language communities that the administration values their cultural expression. For the Congress government in Karnataka, showcasing multilingual inclusivity during a high-visibility festival also carries political currency in a diverse electorate. The broader pattern — successive governments embedding such events in Dasara — suggests this is institutional practice rather than partisan gesture, though ruling parties always gain the visibility benefit.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Urdu Kavya Sanje at Mysore Dasara?
The Urdu Kavya Sanje is a dedicated Urdu poetry evening held as part of the Mysore Dasara cultural programme at the Exhibition Authority grounds, bringing together poets, writers and audiences to celebrate Urdu literature.
Why did DK Shivakumar attend the Dasara poetry event in 2026?
As Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D K Shivakumar participated in and addressed the Urdu poetry evening on 18 October 2026 as part of the Mysore Dasara festivities, emphasising the role of literature in binding communities.
Does the Karnataka government regularly hold Urdu events at Dasara?
Yes. Karnataka governments have a long-standing tradition of including multilingual literary sessions — including Urdu poetry evenings — in the Dasara calendar at Mysore's exhibition grounds, reflecting the state's linguistic diversity.
What did DK Shivakumar say at the Urdu poetry evening?
Shivakumar said 'literature binds minds together' and that the beauty of literature must reside not just in words but in the heart — a statement that anchored the evening's theme of literary and human connection.
Who attended the Dasara Urdu Kavya Sanje in Mysore?
The event was attended by ministers, Members of Parliament, elected representatives, and literary figures, alongside the general cultural audience at the Mysore Exhibition Authority venue.
