Bombe Mane - Ramsons' House of Dolls

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

In third diorama of 2023, ‘Shiva Bhakti Udaya’, Bombe Mane marked the 350th coronation of Chatrapati Shivaji (Shiva Udaya) and 525th birth anniversary of Meerabai (Bhakti Udaya) who was one of the proponents of Bhakti movement. Shivaji was crowned Chatrapati in the majestic backdrop of a magnificent rock-fort. His chosen deity the Goddess Tulaja Bhavani were on display as well. These extraordinary individuals, Shivaji and Meerabai, were mighty bulwarks whose thoughts and actions protected India politically and culturally. Bombe Mane paid tribute to these two great personalities of this land.

Special Display 2023 - Navaavarana

Jagannatha takes the form of Navagunjara (a chimera composed of parts of nine different animals) to show the infinite possibilities in his creation. This nine-part cosmic form of Jagannatha led us to the second diorama of 2023, ‘Navaavarana’, which honoured the number ‘Nine’ or ‘Nava’ in Indian art and symbology. Dolls of Navadurga, Navagraha, Navaratna, Navadhanya, Nava Bhakti and the newly created Navarasa dolls from the Ramsons design team was an integral part of the display.

Special Display 2023 - Jagadaanandakaaraka

The juggernaut of triple chariots ‘Nandighosha’ carrying Jagannatha, ‘Taladhwaja’ carrying Balabhadra and ‘Darpadalana’ carrying Subhadra had rumbled into our special display named ‘Jagadaanandakaaraka’. The title means a person who While the actual Puri Jagannatha Rathayatra is witnessed by lakhs of human devotees, here at Bombe Mane, it was witnessed by entire creation including the birds who rule the air, animals that have claimed the land and fish that trawl the waters. Everyone is offering worship to Jagannatha - the Lord of the world.

The avian creatures were led by Gandabherunda, the marine animals were led by Matsya Narayana while the land animals were led by the fantastical creature - Navagunjara which is an incarnation of Lord Jagannatha himself. Miniature versions of the triple Rathas were specially commissioned for this diorama. Few of the famous shringaras, offered to Jagannatha at his abode, were recreated like Bada Shingar, Sona Besha, Padma Besha and Nagarjuna Besha. All these creatures including the Jagannatha Balabhadra Subhadra and their Rathas were created out of wood by the artists at Bhubaneshwar.

Balabhadra

Subhadra

Jagannatha

The Vimanas within the Ratha were exact wooden miniature replicas of the ones which are housed within the gigantic Rathas including the colourful cloth applique coverings, festoons, flags, standards and canopies. These were created by the artisans at Pipili who work on the actual Rathas of Jagannatha.

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

New Dolls of 2023

Ramsons creates new dolls for every new edition of Bombe Mane. This year (2023) Raghu Dharmendra has designed unique Navarasa dolls which were created as lathe-turned wooden lacquerware dolls. Navarasa (nine emotions) are different emotions that a dance artiste has to emote during his/her performance in the classical Indian dance and it was codified by Bharata in his Natyashastra.

Each doll has been designed like a Bharatanatya dancer girl with her hair in a topknot. The Sun and Moon hair ornaments and the Odyana (waist band) are designed as Mysore style jewellery. The saree with the front open-fan-like frills mimic the typical Bharatanatya dance costume. Colours of the sarees symbolise respective Rasa (emotion).

Shringara - Love, Adoration

Hasya - Humour, Comedy

Karuna - Sorrow, Compassion

Raudra - Anger

Veera - Valour, Courage

Bhaya - Terror, Fear

Beebhatsa - Disgust

Adbhuta - Wonder

Shanta - Peace

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Bombe Mane 2023 - Inauguration

Smt. R. Harinita Singh garlands the Chief Guest Prof. M.J. Kamalakshi

Smt. Bharati Madhukar garlands the Guest of Honour Smt. Mangala Narasimhan

Sri Raghu Dharmendra welcomes the Chief Guest

Sri Sachin welcomes the Guest of Honour

Smt. Mangala Narasimhan unveils the special diorama - Navaavarana

One of the two special diorama of Jagadoddharaka

Second part of Jagadoddharaka

Smt. Mangala Narasimhan unveils the third special diorama - Shiva Bhakti Udaya

Sri R.G. Singh explaining the concept of the special diorama

Prof. M.J. Kmalakshi inaugurating Bombe Mane 2023 by lighting the lamp

Smt. Mangala Narasimhan joins the Chief Guest to inaugurate the event

L-R: Sri R.G. Singh, Smt. Mangala Narasimhan, Smt. Harinita Singh, Sri Rahul Singh, Sri Raghu Dharmendra and Prof. M.J. Kamalakshi

A section of the guests

19th edition of Bombe Mane was inaugurated on Friday, 15 September 2023 at 5.30 pm by Former Chairperson of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Prof. M.J. Kamalakshi and special dioramas were unveiled by the Chairperson of Crafts Council of Karnataka, Smt. Mangala Narasimhan.

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Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Bombe Mane 2023 - in Media