JOIN USSlice of Mysore Dasara in M'lore
Dasara celebrations was a grand affair during the reign of Vijayanagara empire. However, commoners could not take part in all the ceremonies performed by the king and queen. As a result, they started recreating the entire Dasara festivity in their homes by arranging dolls with the 'Raja' and 'Rani’ as the key piece.
Today, after five centuries, this age-old practice has become an integral part of the Dasara celebrations. ‘Nammavaru - Mangaluruvasi Hale Mysuru Vipra Koota’ association has put in all efforts to give Managaloreans a slice of Mysore Dasara with its unique collection of 800 dolls.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Association Organising Secretary M S Gururaj said that the arrangement of dolls is a common practice in all houses in old Mysore during Dasara. In Mangalore, there are a few families of ‘Vipra Koota,’ a Brahmin community which moved from old Mysore region to DK district in search of jobs.
Six years ago, the association decided that they will introduce this practice to the coastal city and got together and created a small doll display. “The expo received an overwhelming response and the association decided to organise it every year. What started with 300 dolls has now gone up to 800 dolls. The expo is getting bigger every year, said Gururaj.
The dolls are arranged in nine steps indicating nine days of Navaratri.
It is famously known as ‘Bommai Kolu’ or ‘Bommala Koluvu’ and is very popular in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and certain parts of Karnataka.
The arrangement of dolls narrate episodes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavatgeetha.
‘Dashavathara,’ ‘Krishna Leela,’ ‘Ashta Lakshmi,’ ‘Chamundi hills,’ Mysore Dasara procession, chariots, rathotsava, palanquin, depiction of traditional wedding, village artisans, rural games are some of the collections displayed at the expo.
“This year, we have recreated the Mantralaya and Raghavendra Swami mutt in miniatures,” said GururajJoint Secretary of the association Poornima said that the ‘Pattada Bombe’ is the key piece of the doll collection. ‘Pattada Bombe’ is passed on to a girl during her wedding and it indicates the king and queen.
“The association members look forward for the expo every year. All the members take part enthusiastically. All are given responsibilities. It is encouraging when we receive appreciation from visitors,” she added.
The doll expo was inagurated by Sharavu Ganapathi temple Managing Trustee Raghavednara Shastri and Mangalore Airport Director M R Vasudeva. The expo will be open till October 27.