Mysore: The chariots are colorful, the horses are sturdy, but not so, the life of the owners of these horse drawn carriages, or ‘Tongas’ as they are popularly called. Their business rises with the Dasara tide and ebbs thereafter. And that’s when their problems start.
The Tonga Wallahs are reportedly displeased over the authorities’ “use and throw policy”. Their grouse is that they are “forgotten” after being used for tourism promotion during Dasara. “Media and Government concentrate on us only during Dasara and ignore us the rest of the year” laments Fayaz Ahmed, President of the horse-drawn chariots Association. “If Tonga rides are not revived through incentives to operators, the last remaining Tongas may also fade into oblivion”, he added.
Dasara has history of four centuries, and what adds to its grandeur and the experience of tourists, is the continuation of the age old tradition of riding in a Tonga to visit the nearly 150 heritage sites in Mysore.
Fayaz Ahmed expressing his disappointment in the government, said, “Govt. has been giving promises of doing a thing for the community, but no one has turned up to understand and resolve our problems. We are getting old, problems are not, and the requests given to Govt. are dumped in the dustbin”.
He added, “we don’t expect more from the Govt., just a home and good education for our children because 90% of owners stays in rented homes which are getting costly, day by day so it’s tough to manage our living costs during the off season resulting in children becoming dropouts and being sent to work for daily wages”.
A heritage profession:
Tonga driving is a profession that has been handed down through the generations. It’s a profession, the Tonga wallahs’, as they are popularly called, are brought up in, and most of them are both illiterate and know no other form of earning. On the other hand, they are also sentimentally attached to the profession.
It was Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV who introduced these Saarots, also called ‘Victoria type’ during his reign. They cost around 4 lakhs to buy, while the normal Tongas, called ‘Shah Pasand’ cost between 40-80 thousand rupees. A Nationalized bank has been giving loans for purchase of these carriages, but the Tonga Wallahs find it difficult to repay the loan and simultaneously maintain their families.
The Tonga Wallahs usually take tourists on a tour of the city that includes popular destinations and heritage sites. They charge around Rs: 150 -200 per trip which falls far short of the maintenance cost they incur. However they receive a lot of affection from the people of Mysore, the tourists and the city police who are helpful to them.
Fayaz Ahmed, lauding the city, said “The city police and people of Mysore city have great respect for our profession and the police are very helpful, while we go about our business”.
The plight of the Tongawallah:
The plight of the Tongawallah is evidenced by the fact that, of the 150 horse-drawn chariots available in Mysore, barely 25 have been officially selected by the by the State Tourism development corporation for heritage rides during Dasara. These include 8 Victoria and 17 Shah Pasand Tongas. The owners of these select few, receive Govt. uniforms to define their status.
Tonga owners requested the city corporation to introduce 20 Victoria type Tongas. These Tongas have a royal look and easily attract tourists, and consequently, bring more business to their owners. However, due to various constraints, the Mysore city corporation imported only 11, allotted 8, and the remaining 3 lie unused in the corporation’s warehouse.
“The government says ‘Go green’ and be environment friendly but still we are neglected”, Fayaz, upset with the government, said.
Shiva Swamy D B, Post-Graduation Student, Mysore University also questioned the government on this count, “ Many low profile workers do get the benefits regarding loan, education, medical allowance and so on, but why has the Government not given any importance to these people who add value to the city during Dasara?”
A Tonga wallah’s earnings:
According to Fayaz, the Victoria type can earn its owners, approximately Rs: 1000 rupees per day during Dasara, while the Shah Pasand type can earn its owner Rs: 400 – 600 per day. Five Tonga stands have been constructed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission here. These stands are located at prominent tourist destinations like Agrahara circle, Palace, Mysore Zoo etc.
Last year the government had disbursed Rs. 2000 each, to the Tonga Wallahs after Dasara. This year, a remuneration of Rs. 100 a day has been fixed for the Tonga Wallahs. When members of the Dasara tourism sub-committee were asked, whether they considered the remuneration sufficient, they promised to enhance the fee.
The Tonga Wallahs hope the government will do more. Their hope? A few basic benefits like good education for their children, medical facilities and shelter for their families, so that they can keep the carriage wheels turning.
