An artist’s task of beautifying Dasara jumbos

Nagalingappa Badiger, a drawing teacher in a government school in Periyapatna taluk, and his team of eight artists, performed the task of beautifying Dasara elephants for the grand Jamboo Savari with impressive creations on their body using water colours.

Mr. Badiger and his team painted 14 elephants using bright colours to embellish them since they were the star attraction at the Dasara finale in Mysuru on Thursday.

The artist and his team began drawing colourful artworks on the trunks, legs and heads of Dasara elephants around 10 p.m. on Wednesday and completed the tasks after an overnight exercise around 12.30 p.m. on Thursday, before the jumbos set out for the grand procession.

“It is an honour for me and my team to beautify Dasara jumbos. I have been doing this for the last 21 days,” says Mr. Badiger.

With the help of the mahouts and kavadis, they completed the tasks with precision even as people gathered near the elephant camp on the palace premises curiously watched the work.

“It takes time to paint each elephant as the work has to be elegant and precise as lakhs of people watch them with awe,” he added.