Tenth edition of Bombe Mane displays cultural heritage

With approximately a fortnight for the Navaratri celebrations to begin, it is time to bring down the dolls that had been stored carefully in the attics, to be displayed on all the nine days.

It is also a tradition to add a few dolls to the collection every year, and Bombe Mane, at Pratima Gallery, is the right destination for the doll lovers.

The golden throne captures the attention once you enter the gallery, followed by an array of colourful dolls of various sizes and shapes. To the right is an array of beautiful clay dolls, painted with bronze and brass colours, giving it an authentic touch, highlighting the Vaishnava culture. Like every year, this year too the huge dolls of Ashtalakshmi and Dashavathara are the main feature of the display. 

Bombe Mane, which was started in the year 2005, has come out with the display the tenth edition,  with Portable Shrines (Jangama Gudi) in miniature, which are carried by the devotees from one place to another. These portable shrines, not worshipped at one place, represent the enduring faith that have origins in folk mythology.

The special display of this year is the Dances of India section, which has stuffed wired dolls which has replicas of classical forms of dances like Bharathanatya, Kuchipudi, Mohinattam, Kathak, Odissi and Manipuri. There are nine dolls, made by Jayalakshmi, a doll maker from Puducherry, displaying ‘Navarasas’ of Bharathanatya.

The Mysore Dasara celebrated in the year 1939 has been recreated by the artisans of Ramsons Kala Pratishtana. It is based on the canvas paintings in the ‘Navilu Thotti’ or Peacock Pavilion at Amba Vilas Palace. The artisans have a goal of making 1,000 such dolls, For now, 200 of these dolls are on display.

The Navadurga clay dolls and the Kalamkari style patti scrolls of Andhra Pradesh depicting Ramayana, which is used to narrate stories are also a must see. The Navadurga dolls have been fashioned according to the description given in the Sritattvandihi of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, R G Singh of Ramsons Kala Pratishtana said that the gallery has been in the business since 40 years, and in its tenth edition, more than 5,000 dolls have been displayed. 

He said that the doll making is a continuous process, where artisans from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and even North India are roped in to create the dolls throughout the year.   The tableaux procession, which has been displayed here has been technically made as per the scale. The gallery also has ten new displays, including a terracotta kitchen set.

The local artisans have not been neglected, as the wooden Mysore Palace, Clock tower, K R Circle and others made by them, are also on display.