Sadhana Kiran’s house hosts more than hundred little people and a whole lot of other fascinating curios. A homemaker, a part-time psychotherapist and counsellor, she lets her passion speak for itself.
Walk into her home and you will find that it is nothing less than a museum with each corner having a story to narrate.
One can feel an earthy vibe even as the curiosity builds up as you look around the quaint, abode.
You cannot escape a tea table holding a collection of conches and pebbles, terracotta idols of Lord Ganesha, a set of well-dressed traditional band men, women at work in the kitchen, a brass kitchen set, Channapatna dolls, Kolkata murals, Orissa lampshades, brass curios and many more . “I started collecting dolls and souvenirs after marriage. It has been 30 years since I started and I have about 400 dolls along with brass utensils, souvenirs, antique objects and many more,’’ says Sadhana.
Her house wears a new look every month as she draws out a particular theme and arranges her souvenirs accordingly.
She says, “We used to stay in a small house earlier and most of my collections were inside a box as there was no much place to arrange them all. But now that we have shifted, there is enough place for my collections. I display the dolls on a shift basis and give each of my valued possessions a chance to show off their uniqueness,” she explains.
While her house hosts a festive look everyday, it is enhanced during ‘Navarathri’. People from different cultures are taken out of their boxes and well-displayed through the nine days.
“My house is crowded during ‘Navarathri’. The dolls on display during this time are colourful and earthy and have a story for the visitors,” she says.
These dolls are very close to her heart and the Channapatna dolls hold a special status “The dolls, especially the ones from Channapatna, have a human element in them. They have an emotional touch and look like real beings. Also, they speak of the meticulous efforts of the crafters,” she says.
A passionate and enthusiastic lady, her collections give her a sense of empowerment while furnishing the ambience. She says, “Our ‘puja’ room is a home for global Gods. All of them make me happy.”
She says that she also likes to collect the ‘puja’ items which are unique.
She has friends who admire her collection and provide her a helping hand. “Few friends of mine, after learning about my interest, have gifted me dolls. My husband too supports me. He recently got me a souvenir from Vietnam,” she says smilingly.
She however likes to hand pick them, all by herself. “The connection is greater when I pick them myself,” she says.
When not on display, her possessions are enfolded in a bubble wrap and put in the named cardboard boxes.
She says, “I regularly dust them using paint brushes. To clean the intricate items, I wrap the backside of an incense stick with cotton and then run it through the tiny parts to clean them.”
The habit of collecting unique items runs in the family too. Her husband Kiran, a curator at the art gallery, has his own collection of paintings. “History, tradition and preservation plays a major role at our house,” she says proudly. Inspired by her uncle, who was also an enthusiastic collector of souvenirs, she says, “Technology has made people lazy. Let alone preserving, no one even has time to appreciate handicrafts anymore. They are dying and need help. Young parents should make it a point to educate their kids about our tradition and culture. They should inculcate a love towards art and crafts amongst them.”
Sadhana looks forward to displaying her collections on a public platform if given a chance, she concludes, “I am grounded to earth because of my valued possessions. Without them, my world would be
lifeless.”