Bombe Mane! Tulasi, dolls of Ayodhya Balak Ram among key attractions
3 min read
Mysuru: The 20th edition of Bombe Mane exhibition was inaugurated at Ramsons Bombe Mane, No 91, above Aamrapali Saree store, Nazarbad main road in the city, embodies charm and the stories of dolls narrate human history and culture.
MLA T S Srivatsa lighted the lamp. Veteran light music singer H R Leelavathi and dance use Vasundhara Doraswami inaugurated the special galleries on Friday.
The exhibition will be open from 10 am to 7 pm.
About Dolls Exhibition
The dolls embody charm and the stories of dolls narrate human history and culture. The tales of the known and unknown alike, dolls possess the power to enamour, enchant and entertain.
They are the remedial companions to many across all cultures whenever one lacks hope,
strength or peace of mind. Most of the time they are silent playmates and are considered
harbingers of luck and happiness.
Dolls are associated with several traditional practices and rituals across India. Mysuru is
home for one such unique tradition in which dolls take the centre-stage.
This royal city is the proud seat of Dasara Doll Festival which transforms every abode into a magical doll-house while the palace turns into a fairy land of pomp, pageantry and the twinkling silhouette of countless light bulbs.
Bombe Mane – the iconic doll house, began 20 years ago as a doll heaven, in Mysore, to
design, create and source varieties of dolls that fulfill the need of doll connoisseurs. Every
section of display is populated with joyful sets of dolls made by hundreds of skilled artists from across the country.
This year’s first special display is ‘Vrunda Vihara’ eulogising Tulasi, the ubiquitous shrub
grown in a sacred pot and venerated in most Hindu households across India. Each and every region has a different style of Tulasi pot made of either stone, clay or metal (brass/bronze).
Goddess Tulasi is worshipped by the whole of creation. It is said that her roots are the abode
of sacred rivers, the divine knowledge of Vedas reside in her stem while each and every leaf of hers is home to a God. Several stories of Tulasi abound, especially her association with Krishna is celebrated. Every year many Hindu families commemorate her wedding with Krishna Damodara on the day of Utthaana Dwadashi.
The second diorama is ‘Santa Samrajya’. India is a land of sages and seers who have enriched it with their thoughts and teachings. Portraits of popular and regional sages have been grouped together to add spiritual touch to the collection.
The final showcase displays ‘Chitra Mruga’. Indian mythology abounds in fantastical
creatures like Yali, Gandabherunda, Gaja Pakshi, Sarpa Pakshi, et al. A mythical menagerie of these liminal creatures has been conjured in this 20th edition of Bombe Mane.
This year marks the centenary of the inception of Mysore Karaga – Goddesses Chamundeshwari and Maariamma are invoked in two earthen pots which are decorated with scores of jasmine
strings and carried on the head in procession over five days, every summer. These twin
goddesses of Mysore along with their retinue have been conceived in clay, marking another
milestone in our project of creating new dolls.
The flavour of the season, Balak Ram of
Ayodhya, has been brought alive in the form of clay and paper mache dolls by skilled
artisans along with hundreds of dolls.
Come, witness this wonderland of dolls and be a part of our celebration of Dasara.
– Team Mysoorunews
Mysooru News
