Balarama the hero of Mysore

Balarama carries himself with the greatness of a 52-year-old used to special treatment.

For the last 11 years, this elephant has carried the 750 Kg golden howdah (a seat or platform for one or more persons, commonly with a railing and a canopy, placed on the back of an elephant) in the Mysore Dasara procession. The weight doesn’t bother him. He’s a healthy 5000 Kg himself.

But that’s not the only reason why the 52 year old from the Hunsur forests is chosen for the ceremony and glory. “He has got two beautiful tusks. And a very plain flat back on which the howdah can be safely seated,” said Dr Nagaraja Sharma, Director, Centre for Indian Studies, Mysore.

Balarama has also never been caught throwing a tantrum (a violent demonstration of rage or frustration; a sudden burst of ill temper). So he’s counted upon to take the procession and its crowds in his jumbo march.

His perques include meals fit for a king. Every day, he gets 500 Kg of banyan tree branch fodder; 200 Kg of green grass; 15 Kg of paddy, 500 g of jaggery and a 2 Kg groundnut cake. Tied with abundant love from his mahout (the keeper or driver of an elephant, esp. in India and the East Indies), Thimma, who says if Balarama is happy, he’s happy. “Sometimes, we forget even our wife and children. If he is good, only then will our wife and children get food.”

He may be a senior now, but there’s no question of retirement for Balarama. He’s still the hero of the Mysore Dasera procession.