Doll displays revive tradition in Mysuru during Dasara
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Families in Mysuru, India, are once again hosting Bombe Mane, traditional displays of dolls, as the Dasara festival begins.
Hemalatha Kumaraswamy and her family have opened their home to showcase a collection of dolls depicting stories from Indian mythology, particularly the Ramayana and Mahabharata, alongside scenes from the history of Mysuru. These dolls are arranged on nine tiers and include representations of events like the Jamboo Savari procession and figures of former Mysuru royals.
Other residents, like Bhanumathi Sundareshan and Dr. Pooja, are also continuing the Bombe Mane tradition in their homes. Sundareshan’s display focuses on patriotic themes and includes dolls commemorating the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, while Dr. Pooja maintains a collection of dolls over a century old, adorning a Chamundeshwari doll each day with a saree matching the colour of the deity on Chamundi Hill. However, Ms. Hemalatha noted a decline in the practice as younger generations show less interest.
Despite this, several families across Mysuru continue to display dolls, passing down the tradition and inviting children to learn about it, with some even offering a “Bombe Bagina” gift to young visitors.
