From Japan to Greece, Gombe Habba brings global traditions under one roof

Bengaluru: Gombe Habba at Vanishree Nagaraj's home on Bannerghatta Road showcases multiple worlds. After all, her collection of dolls spans various cultures, with pieces originating from Greece, Japan, Germany, Vietnam, China, Korea and Africa, in addition to a large collection of traditional Indian dolls. Each doll tells a story, offering a glimpse into the customs and values of the society it represents, she says as she lovingly displays her treasured collection.
The canvas of Gombe Habba at Vanishree's house expanded in 2012, before which the display would be restricted to Pattada Gombe, crown dolls of Raja and Rani. As time passed, her collection included international dolls and theme-based displays, crafted from various materials including clay and papier-mâché, wood, ceramic, glass and terracotta.
Her assortment of Japanese figurines comprises Samurai dolls and those adorned in Kimono, the local traditional wear. The 53-year-old electronics and communications engineer also possesses German dolls that depict their renowned beer festival.
In 2019, when Vanishree and her family were in Greece, her son, Satvik, a mechatronics and automation engineer, was keen on buying dolls of Greek gods. "The dolls were made of alabaster, a stone known for its delicate nature and susceptibility to breakage. Despite our worries, the dolls arrived in pristine condition, thanks to the careful packaging," says Vanishree, adding the dolls now adorn a separate section of their display on a special stand built by her husband Nagaraj, 61, a mechanical engineer, and son.
She says Gombe Habba helps preserve cultural traditions and ensures that future generations can also experience the joy of this festival. "As kids, we enjoyed this festival a lot, and we don't want our next generation to miss this out."
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Collection depicts mythologies
Vanishree and her family's collection features an array of traditional dolls that depict Dashavatara, Navadurgas, Ashtalakshmi, Saptamatrika, Trimurtis, Krishna's life and many more. Another highlight is dolls depicting the Mysuru Dasara procession. "The display features Mysuru's landmarks, such as Jagan Mohan Palace, Lalit Mahal Palace, the clock tower, etc," she says.
She has added her creative bit to her collection by using cake dolls to showcase different ways in which saris and lehengas can be worn. "I have draped each of these dolls in saree styles from different states of India."