Bombe Mane returns with tales of tradition

Arrangements of dolls as part of Bombe Mane at the house of Hemalatha Kumaraswamy in Ramachandra Agrahara in Mysuru. | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram

A vibrant collection of dolls that tell the stories of the heritage city and mythological tales have returned to households in Mysuru as Dasara unfolds.

Setting up a Bombe Mane(Dasara Doll Show) during Dasara is an annual tradition affair for many households in Mysuru. A house located at 2nd Cross in Ramachandra Agrahara, known for its Bombe Mane for the past three decades, has once again opened its doors to a magnificent collection of dolls with distinctive artistic designs.

The house has a dedicated floor for the arrangement of dolls. The display curated by Hemalatha Kumaraswamy and her family, brings to life a numerous characters and episodes of Indian mythology with particular focus on the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Incarnations of Rama and Krishna form the central theme of the display, alongside traditional Pattada Raja Rani dolls.

The dolls are displayed on nine tiered platforms. Activities largely associated with the Mysuru palace and its Dasara celebrations have found a unique place in this Bombe Mane. Dolls depicting Jamboo Savari, private durbar, Nandi Dhwaja, Jatti Kalaga and erstwhile Mysuru royals, specially designed by artists, are the highlights of display. Some of iconic structures existing in around the city built during the era of Wadiyars are featured in doll show.