Vipra Koota launches unique Dasara doll exhibition

Vipra Koota launches unique Dasara doll exhibition

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 4, 2011: The Nammavaru – Mangaluruvasi Hale Mysooru Vipra Koota is holding its annual Dasara doll exhibition at Shri Raghavendra Swami Mutt on Nellikai Road.

Dolls have been displayed in homes during Dasara for the past 5 centuries. This tradition, which commenced during the times of the Vijayanagara kings, is known as Bommai Kolu and is more popular in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and some parts of Karnataka.

The Vipra Koota is a community of Brahmins who migrated into Mangalore from Mysore in search of jobs. They have taken it upon themselves to give the people of Mangalore a taste of Mysore Dasara, owing to which they have displayed a collection of around 800 dolls, arranged in the form of 9 steps, symbolizing Navarathri.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is a doll called Pattada Bombe, which is gifted to a girl on the day of her wedding and symbolizes aristocratic life. Besides, the artists have created the entire procession with dolls of elephants, people, royal families, soldiers, and a depiction of the Mysore Palace.

The dolls have also been arranged to represent Krishna Leela, Dashavathara, Ashta Lakshmi, Shrirangapattanan Temple, episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, palanquins, Chamundi Hills, villages, Kalinga Mardana, Seetha Kalyana, and many more. The arrangements also illustrate traditional cuisine and professions.

M. S. Gururaj, the organizing secretary, said that this unique Dasara doll exhibition is being held from the past 5 years and that the public response has been favorable. Some of the dolls on display are from the collections of members of the association while some are purchased. He said that the association took 2 days to arrange the dolls, adding that the artists have tried to arrange the dolls in such as way that it looks like Vaikunta, the abode of Vishnu.

This unique exhibition, which was launched by K. Anil, the senior regional manager of Overseas Bank, will be open till Oct 9