Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar chaired a meeting at Shakti Bhavan on Race Course Road on September 3, 2026, to review preparations for the 2026 Mysuru Dasara. Officials discussed inviting all South Indian chief ministers and their art troupes, and adding an air show, drone display and new attractions such as a Chitra Santhe, flea market, vintage‑car rally and rangoli competition to raise the festival’s profile.
The meeting was attended by Urban Development and Mysuru District In‑charge Minister Dr. Yatindra Siddaramaiah, Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Mysuru District In‑charge Secretary Dr. Selvakumar, Kannada and Culture Secretary Manjushree, Youth Empowerment Principal Secretary Naveen Raj Singh, Urban Development Secretary B.B. Kaveri, Tourism Commissioner Ram Prasath Manohar, Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikantha Reddy, Zilla Panchayat CEO Ukesh Kumar and Mysuru Police Commissioner Seema Latkar.
The chief minister will seek the Union Defence Minister’s approval for the air show and has asked the Army, Air Force and Navy to contribute teams for Dasara tableaux and parades, while also directing officials to provide adequate seating for ticket‑holding visitors.
Invitations are planned for ambassadors and foreign officials, as well as prominent bodies such as the Indian Armed Forces, leading Karnataka educational institutions, the Film Chamber of Commerce, ISRO, DRDO and other central government organisations.
One minister will be assigned each day to supervise the events alongside the district in‑charge minister to ensure smooth coordination.
The chief minister also ordered that art troupes from across Karnataka be given performance slots to showcase the state’s cultural diversity, and suggested producing short films on Mysuru Palace and other key tourist sites to further promote the festival and the city’s heritage.