Bengaluru: ‘
Gombe helutaite
(the doll says)….’ So goes a famous Kannada song. As Dasara has begun, Bengalureans are creating live storyboards out of dolls to mark
Gombe Habba
, which is celebrated by putting up elaborate displays of dolls. With each doll being used to spark imagination, thematic setups are breathing life into mythology, folklore, and even modern narratives this time around.
At Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, around 2,500 dolls are arranged to narrate 10 themes from the Ramayana.
The setup, curated by Aparna and Shreenath Acharya, offers visitors a captivating journey through the epic’s timeless stories.
Highlighting her themed display of gombes (dolls) depicting women from the Ramayana, Aparna told TOI, “We’ve been celebrating Gombe Habba for about 20 years now. In the beginning, it was more about following the tradition. But, as time went by, we realised the incredible potential these dolls have in conveying meaningful messages and life lessons. Through carefully curated concepts and stories, we saw how beautifully we could express ideas through the dolls, especially those rooted in our puranas (mythologies) and cultural heritage. Rather than using contemporary or modern dolls, we wanted our displays to draw from the richness of our puranas, itihasa (history), and other ancient texts.”
The exhibition is on at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s KRG Hall till Oct 12.
Handmade miniature golus
At 68, Hema Rajaram continues to captivate viewers with her unique golu displays, transforming discarded materials into intricate miniature worlds. This year, her creation is a bustling marketplace, complete with 20 types of shops — from bakeries to bookstores. The marketplace is about 9ft by 7ft, which is as big as the hall of her house. Nearly everything is upcycled. By using cold porcelain, M-seal, fabric scraps, and even toothpicks, Hema handcrafted each item, some as small as a fingernail, like tiny cakes and vegetables. “Every shop in this marketplace is named after a family member. Shelving units are designed for a perfect display, and viewers might need magnifying glasses to appreciate the tiniest details—such as the mustard seeds in a chutney displayed in a café shop. I spent days creating a crate of custard apples, carefully shaping and assembling tiny balls of cold porcelain to achieve the perfect texture,” said Hema. She has created this without needing a magnifying glass herself. The miniature Gombe Habba is open to the public near Kamakya Theatre, Banashankari III Stage, from 4pm to 6pm every day between Oct 7 and 12.
Festival of preservation
Parameswaran, a resident of JP Nagar VIII Phase, is dedicated to preserving his grandmother’s cherished doll collection, which dates back 125 years. “My grandmother, originally from Thanjavur, has always had a passion for dolls. I feel like it’s my responsibility to carry the legacy forward while expanding her collection with new additions.” With over 150 dolls on display, Parameswaran brings to life stories from epic tales. This year, the new addition to his collection is a doll of Ram Lalla, a replica of the idol in Ayodhya.
“This year’s Gombe Habba is complete with Ram Lalla’s presence,” Parameswaran explained.