When Kids Thronged to Doll Houses
Children in Bangalore looked forward to Dasara not only for the holidays and goodies but for the doll arrangement too. They loved to take part in the ritual of unpacking the clay dolls and toys from the old steel trunks on the attics and to scoop sand from the garden and spread it out in the hall to lay a little park. At the end of the nine-day display, they would then reluctantly let their parents put the dolls away and clear the park from the hall.
During the entire nine-day show, well-groomed little children in small groups would walk from door to door, dressed in their finery, inquiring if there was a doll display in the house. The house would invariably have a display and though the household is not acquainted with the little visitors, it would not only let them in willingly, but offer them special Dasara dishes on condition that the children sing a song. And after gawking at the dolls, rendering the song and polishing off the last morsel from the plate, the toddler team would move to the next house.
The annual packing and unpacking invariably takes its toll on the dolls. A porcelain dog could lose its tail or a clay soldier his head and hence, as a custom, new dolls are added for each Dasara and they could be clay, porcelain or wood.
The park would include a green patch which is usually ragi that's sown in advance. An overenthusiastic boy sometimes mistakes mustard for ragi and after a few days finds white sprouts instead of a green hedge. And in an effort to squeeze in the entire collection in the park, the family is forced to let the clay tiger stand shoulder to shoulder with a porcelain lamb.
Besides the park, there's a dolls' gallery of different levels made out of the grandma's cot and the little child's study table, covered with the grandpa's white dhoti.
Strobe lights, little fountains and some themes would make up the display.
This used to be an annual ritual at homes in the city till recently. The shift from old bungalows with sprawling gardens and spacious halls to cramped apartments has meant the custom has fallen by the wayside. There's no garden from which to scoop sand from and no big hall to flaunt the doll display.
But though the tradition has been fading away to an extent, some staunch city residents have been making it a point to keep it alive. Shops have been displaying their collections and a whole lot of idols of Indian Gods of Chinese make besides traditional clay and wooden dolls are on offer.
vijaysimha@newindinaexpress.
Children in Bangalore looked forward to Dasara not only for the holidays and goodies but for the doll arrangement too. They loved to take part in the ritual of unpacking the clay dolls and toys from the old steel trunks on the attics and to scoop sand from the garden and spread it out in the hall to lay a little park. At the end of the nine-day display, they would then reluctantly let their parents put the dolls away and clear the park from the hall.
During the entire nine-day show, well-groomed little children in small groups would walk from door to door, dressed in their finery, inquiring if there was a doll display in the house. The house would invariably have a display and though the household is not acquainted with the little visitors, it would not only let them in willingly, but offer them special Dasara dishes on condition that the children sing a song. And after gawking at the dolls, rendering the song and polishing off the last morsel from the plate, the toddler team would move to the next house.
The annual packing and unpacking invariably takes its toll on the dolls. A porcelain dog could lose its tail or a clay soldier his head and hence, as a custom, new dolls are added for each Dasara and they could be clay, porcelain or wood.
The park would include a green patch which is usually ragi that's sown in advance. An overenthusiastic boy sometimes mistakes mustard for ragi and after a few days finds white sprouts instead of a green hedge. And in an effort to squeeze in the entire collection in the park, the family is forced to let the clay tiger stand shoulder to shoulder with a porcelain lamb.
Besides the park, there's a dolls' gallery of different levels made out of the grandma's cot and the little child's study table, covered with the grandpa's white dhoti.
Strobe lights, little fountains and some themes would make up the display.
This used to be an annual ritual at homes in the city till recently. The shift from old bungalows with sprawling gardens and spacious halls to cramped apartments has meant the custom has fallen by the wayside. There's no garden from which to scoop sand from and no big hall to flaunt the doll display.
But though the tradition has been fading away to an extent, some staunch city residents have been making it a point to keep it alive. Shops have been displaying their collections and a whole lot of idols of Indian Gods of Chinese make besides traditional clay and wooden dolls are on offer.
vijaysimha@newindinaexpress.
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