Balarama likely to carry Howdah this year too

The Dasara elephants that are sheltered on the lawns in Amba Vilas Palace have begun their ‘Taleem’ (practice) for the Jamboo Savari from September 13, bringing back the memories of the royal regime to the old-timers while the new generation Mysoreans watch the pachyderms from a safe distance.

The 54-year-old Balarama, who has been carrying the Golden Howdah for the last 14 years, is the cynosure of all eyes as he leads the ‘Gajapadae’ (herd of elephants) of five elephants—Arjuna, Sri Rama, Abhimanyu, Gajendra and Vijaya. Six more elephants are expected to arrive from different camps and join the first batch in a couple of days.

Balarama has become leaner after taking part in festivities last year. After the Jamboo Savari last year, he was sent back ceremoniously to his abode in Thithimathi elephant camp in Kodagu district. He has been a resident of this camp for the last 15 years and has honed the skill of gracefully bearing the Golden Howdah.

“His temperament and behaviour have been exceptional in crowded places such as Jamboo Savari. He did not make even a single wrong move during the 9.3 kilometer journey. But this time he has become a tad weaker. He is given food supplements along with natural food. I am confident he will be his old self in next 15-20 days before the expert panel decides who should carry the Golden Howdah on Vijayadashami,” veterinarian Dr Ramesh said.

Over the past year, Balarama has lost nearly 400 kg—as of September 12, he weighed 4,535 kg compared to 4,950 kg during last Dasara. Is it normal for an elephant at the prime of his age to lose 400 kg in a year? “Elephants do lose weight when they are in the forest. We have been tracking Balarama in the camp in Thithimathi. His kavadi (elephant attendant) told me that he might not have had his fill in the forest due to the natural depletion of bamboo, grass and other greens. His daily intake comprises natural greens in addition to fodder, including germinated grains.

The depletion has been attributed to the deficient forest growth in the area where he stays,” district forest official Devaraj said.
Thimma, Balarama’s mahout does not agree that the elephant has become weaker. “His weight was taken when he came from the forest for the 2011 Dasara. But when he left for the forest after the Dasara, he gained weight. He shows no signs of weakness, “ Thimma said.

Arjuna, who is younger to Balarama by two years, is heavier by 700 kg at 5,520 kg. But unlike Balarama, the upper portion of his body is not flat which is an ideal physical structure for carrying the golden Howdah.