Bengaluru, Aug. 23 -- Ending speculation on who would inaugurate Mysuru Dasara this year, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that Hassan-based writer and International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq would inaugurate Dasara on Sept. 22.

Speaking to media persons here yesterday, Siddaramaiah said it is a matter of pride that a Kannada writer and that too a woman, has won the prestigious International Booker Prize for the first time.

Pointing out that Banu, who won the International Booker Prize for her book 'Heart Lamp' (Yedeya Hanathe) had been involved in many movements such as farmers agitation and Kannada movement and also been a progressive thinker, the CM said that Banu would inaugurate the grand Dasara festival atop Chamundi Hill o...