When kolus camp in Tamil homes

Bangalore: This time of year, Vijayalakshmi Iyer has her hands full; her treasure trove of 2,000-odd dolls waits to step out of the attic of their Tyagarajanagar home in South Bangalore. Dusted off and decked up for the festivities, these little figurines are the guests of honour in every Tamil household. Some of Vijayalakshmi’s dolls are over 350 years old and have come down generations.“With the Mysore Maharaja missing this Dasara, we have kept a sword on the throne, just how it’s in the Royal City,” says Vijayalakshmi. This time, her doll’s house also has a replica of the Malaysian bird park, complete with colourful little birdies she handpicked from Singapore and Malaysia. Interestingly, the Ganapati at the home is studded with navratnas. “We’ve invested on our dolls -- some of them are studded with ruby, topaz, hessonite, pearl, crystal, emerald, diamond, sapphire, cat’s eye, coral etc. These idols are placed separately in a showcase, with mirror-effect and imported lights,” says Vijayalakshmi. For Tamilians, Dasara heralds the kolu (doll) festival. Preparing naivadhya for nine days and sundal (fried sprouts), reciting the Devi Mahatme/Lalitha Sahasranama every day form an integral part of the rituals. The dolls are placed as per hierarchy of living beings on Earth. Among the must-haves are dolls of raja rani (king and queen), kalasam and a merchant couple, placed next to nava dhanyas (nine types of grain), signifying prosperity and abundance. The Dasara dolls at Lalitha Dwarakanath’s house in JP Nagar aptly capture the typical Tamil Iyengar traditions. “Over the years, Dasara has become special for me; my collection includes the Asta Lakshmis, different avatars of Lord Venkataramana, and Krishnavatara,” says Lalitha. During Saraswati festival, Lalitha prepares mouthwatering ereyappas. Inviting married women (sumangalis) on Maha Navami completes her Dasara. During a trip to Madurai in 1996, Dasara dolls caught the fancy of Bangalore-based architect Anand BK, 36. “As per tradition, we have to add new dolls to the collection every year. This year, I have placed over 300 of them. During my Madurai trip, I was really impressed with the artists and their creativity. Also, Ayudh puja is very special for me,” says Anand from Mathikere, whose wife Ranjani is equally passionate about Navaratri celebrations. In the city, Malleswaram is the place to shop for traditional Tamil dolls. Some families even travel to Chennai to purchase them. “It requires a lot of patience to preserve these dolls. Tradition requires that we make 5, 7, or 11 steps. On the topmost stair, Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are seated,” says Vijayashri S, a resident of Gandhi Nagar.
HAPPENING PLACES
Sri Kanchi Sankara Mutt, 5th Main, 11th Cross, Malleswaram: Classical vocal and instrumental concerts every day, soundarya lahari parayanam, navavarna pooja from 8am onwards. Call 9880766001 for details The Art of Living: Traditional Navaratri celebrations led by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on their campus. This will be marked by pujas, homas, sacred chants and music. At the Art of Living International Centre, Kanakapura Road, till October 3 Vivekananda Cultural Association, Yelahanka, will host Durgostab celebrations. Dandia, rock performances, drawing, quiz competition for children and pujas will mark the nine-day festivities at Jnanajyothi educational institution campus, Yelahanka New Town