Gombe Habba falling out of favour with women, children

Mysore, Sep 21 (UNI) Lack of interest among women and children, time and space constraints, and the advent of other entertainment sources have caused a steep decline in the popularity of 'Gombe Habba' (festival of dolls) tradition in this heritage city.

Gombe Habba, a part of the 'Navaratri' festival, pertained to arrangement of dolls in almost all households, attracting large number of people, particularly kids. However, losing the patronage of women and children alike, the festival is now fast disappearing from the traditional houses.

A tradition dating back to the period of Raja Wadiyar of the 16th century, 'Gombe Habba' reflected the skills of womenfolk and brought mirth to every household during the famous Dasara festivities here, beginning from September 23.

Intially, idol of Gowri was decorated in a special manner and worshipped for nine days. By the end of the 18th century, the royalty introduced dolls in the arrangement and the concept was later introduced into public domain by officials in royal service.

The arrangement of dolls revolved around 'Pattada Bombe' made out of sandalwood procured from Tirupati. In rural areas, the practice of preparing 'Bombe Bagina' or a snack on all the nine days was popular during Dasara and children would invite their friends home to have a glimpse of the doll arrangement.

Dolls were arranged in a hierarchy of nine steps, and each day new dolls were added to each step. The hierarchy symbolises the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga -- Shailapurti, Brahmacharini, Chandraghatna, Kooshimanda, Skandamata, Kattyayani, Kalaratri, Maha Gowri and Siddiratri -- to ward off evil. The arrangement was used to send across messages of public importance too.

The Wadiyars had an exclusive gallery in the Mysore palace to display dolls during Dasara. Referred to as 'Gombe Totti' or the dolls pavilion, the gallery had collections of various objects of art including marble sculptures dating back to 18th century and created by Italian and Scandinavian sculptors, a wooden model of the old palace, which existed before 1897 and two porcelain decorative lamps of Japanese origin.

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