Remember the beautiful doll arrangements during Dussehra festivities? Our mothers and grandmothers would spend months in planning the displays, stitching tiny clothes, making little dolly necklaces and decorations.

Children went from house to house admiring the beautiful miniature displays and having a fantastic time. This lovely custom is dying out in today's busy times. But there's hope yet. Artist Deepika Dorai of Bimba the Art Hut has created her unique performance around this enchanting custom.

Maintaining the tradition begun by her grandmother Susheelamma, Deepika has recreated with her own hands a single miniature scene of a mystical moment frozen in time. Since the past three years, Deepika has added her special magical touches, including a storytelling session to bring the special moment to life.

The theme, the settings, creating the dolls and decorations, Deepika does everything painstakingly with her own hands. Deepika calls her special still miniature theatre Rasalok. "I want to share with everyone moments of absolute beauty as I see it," Deepika says. "The joy spreads when I recreate a heavenly scene and share it."

This year's theme is the descent of the holy Ganga River from heaven. As the show starts, the miniature scene glows to life in the darkened hall. Experimenting with various materials and fabrics, Deepika has created every detail with loving care.

She works on figures with a wooden base and recreates lifelike poses and expressions. Ganga is a lively girl eager for the cosmic jump. Lord Shiva expands into his amazing Vishwaroopa to receive her. Bhagirath stands in awe. The tiny, perfectly detailed figures are delightful. Deepika narrates the story with dramatic intensity, drawing the audience with her descriptions and chants. The lighted scene in the darkened room looks like a miniature stage.

When Deepika tells the story, you feel that the mountains are shuddering at the prospect of Ganga's mighty fall. Frightened tigers and elephants are rushing away. Tiny birds are afraid to fly in the stormy sky.

A bear wakes up from its winter sleep, wondering why the mountains are shaking. Deepika weaves in many interesting, little known and amusing details into the storytelling, to captivate young and old alike.

Deepika narrates the story in English to reach out to a wider audience. "Preparing the miniature scene requires three-four months of hard work. As Dussehra approaches, I sometimes perform Rasalok continuously several times a day. Yet I never feel fatigue. That is spirituality." Navaratri is a special, spiritually charged time, Deepika feels. "Dolls are a special medium for a journey into spirituality." Deepika is performing Rasalok every Sunday at 5 PM.

The enchanting one hour performance is open to all and is absolutely free. Don't be daunted by the outward appearance of the run down old house where the Rasalok show takes place. The performance is indeed lovely.

For further details and requests for special shows for large groups, call Deepika or Deepak of Bimba the Art Hut at 080-4148 9354

The venue: 42  Ratna Vilas Road and DVG Road corner, Opposite DVG Road Canara Bank near Nagasandra Circle .