This Dasara, doll displays reach new creative heights in Old Mysuru

Shrinivasa.M
Mysuru: The pandemic may have dimmed Dasara festivities but has done little to rob the sheen off doll displays that adorn households across the old Mysuru region during the festival.
Last year, several families could not arrange the doll displays over Covid-19 scare and the restrictions imposed by the state government. However, this year, preparations for Dasara doll arrangements and exhibitions are in full swing.
Ranganath V, a retired tahsildar and writer, who is a resident of Vijayashripura said, like every year he is arranging the Dasara dolls this year too. “Every year, people arrange Dasara dolls. Last year, fewer people did it as they were worried about inviting people over to see these idols amid Covid scare,” he explained.
Rangath said the idols are generally arranged in nine steps. “We have around 150-200 dolls,” he said.
Sudha Kini, a resident of Vidyaranyapuram, who has been displaying Dasara dolls for the last ten years said, she has begun preparations. “As my children and grandchildren are also here, all are working together in cleaning the dolls, finding replacements for the broken ones etc. I have no plans to invite many people. Only close family and friends will be invited to see he arrangement this year,” she said.
“Bombe Mane” organised by the RamsonsStores in the heart of the city is one of the major attractions for both tourists and the locals. The 17th edition of this show was launched recently. According to Raghu Dharmendra, the curator of this arrangement, locals are coming in a good numbers. “We are expecting visitors from Bengaluru at the time of Dasara,” he said.
Like Mysuru, Dasara dolls are arranged by many families in other districts like Shivamogga, Kodagu, Hassan, etc. “It is part of our Dasara tradition,” said Ranganath who has authored a book on the Dasara celebrations in the state.