Inspiration Station: Dasara Bombe Habba!!

As we get ready for Dasara this week, allow me to indulge in a little bit of a story telling, and in the sharing of pictures from my doll arrangement this year. 

Dasara, being my favorite festival of the year got me getting a head start on the arrangements last weekend! Just so I could bring in the inspiration for Aalayam! See how much I love you? 

Dasara festival, the biggest Hindu festival, both in terms of scale and mythology, has gotten larger and grander in my wedded home, year after year, since I got married and started orchestrating the festivities. My mother used to make (and still does) elaborate Dasara arrangements in my maternal home, with a 7 step display of Dasara Bombe (dolls), and a scrumptious dinner party for all of our extended family back when I lived with my parents.

Now that I am away from “home”, in the USA, I delve back into my childhood memories, and tap into my child like enthusiasm as Dasara approaches, getting ready to reconfigure my doll display, get into Skype yeladakke visits with all my friends and relatives, and of course, prepare for the Aalayam photoshoots. And it never fails to excite me every single year. 

I am delighted that I have two little helpers, my twin 5 year old daughters, who participate with enthusiasm in the storyboarding of the doll set up, negotiate fiercely as to which dolls can be “borrowed” from their collection, vs. not, and generally add a festive buzz to the whole proceeding. And some years, like this one, I have the good fortune of having the grandparents on board the festivities as well, they partaking with delightful joy in the tradition…becoming a child once more….joining in the fun.

You see, that is the magic of tradition, it’s all about keeping the good stuff alive – culture, family ties, mythology & memories. And of course, food ! J  (For those who follow me on Facebook, you know what I am talking about)

So, here goes, Dasara Bombe Habba –Aalayam 2014 special !(that’s  most of what’s written in Kannada script in the first graphic) from our humble home.

Let’s delve a little bit into the mythology and significance of Dasara.  The festival of Dasara is unique in its perception and significance. According to the great Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord Ram killed demon king Ravana on the tenth day of war, that is known as the “Dussehra”.  Ravana is said to have abducted Ram’s wife, Sita and was also known as a dictating ruler, and he was vanquished by glorious Rama. As par for the course, Dussehra or Dasara festival symbolizes triumph of virtue over sin or immorality. The end of Ravana meant end of the embodiments of evil and malice.

Forms of celebrations can take on a wide variety of manifestations, ranging from worshipping the goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga) to exhibiting colorful dolls on the day of "Bombe Habba" (festival of miniature idols or dolls). There is a legend related to the exhibition of dolls that is also known as Golu. Since the goddess Durga needed tremendous power to fight over evil, all other Gods and Goddesses transferred their power to Goddess Durga and they all stood still as dolls.

To respect the self-sacrifice of these deities during the festival days, Hindus revere dolls that are in shape of particular Gods and Goddesses. Of particular significance is the "Dashavatara".  The "Dashavatara" of Indian mythology can be linked to Darwin's theory of evolution. Here are the incarnations: Matsya (Fish), Koorma (Turtle), Varaha (Boar), Narasimha (Half-Man, Half-Lion), Vamana (Dwarf), Parashu Rama (Man weilding an axe), Rama (Man, Ruler), Krishna/Bala Rama (Man, Politician), Buddha (Man, Ascetic), Kalki (Man, Destroyer) are all represented and revered as miniature dolls.

Click here for a picture post full of Dashavatara incarnations, and the mythology behind each incarnation.

Now, let me take you on the grand tour of this year's Bombe arrangement from our home. Let’s start with my favorite arrangement of the lot – The Mysore Dasara procession shall we?

 Mysore Dasara is the Nadahabba (state-festival) of the state of Karnataka in South West India. On Vijayadashami, the traditional Dasara procession (locally known as Jumboo Savari) is held on the streets of Mysore city. The main attraction of this procession is the idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari which is placed on a golden mantapa (which weighs around 750 kilograms of gold) on the top of a decorated elephant. This idol is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees before it is taken around in the procession. Colorful tableaux, dance groups, music bands, decorated elephants, horses and camels form a part of the procession which starts from the Mysore Palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantap where the banni tree (Prosopis spicigera) is worshipped. According to a legend of the Mahabharata, banni tree was used by the Pandavas to hide their arms during their one-year period of Agnatavasa (living life incognito). 

Before undertaking any warfare, the kings traditionally worshipped this tree to help them emerge victorious in the war. The Dasara festivities would culminate on Vijayadashami with an event held in the grounds at Bannimantap called as Panjina Kavayatthu (torch-light parade). 

Remember, we said that the classic interpretation of Dasara, is revering mythology, but the modern version of it is celebrating everyday life? Next, on to community living, and some fun!

In this most endearing display of “Nammoora Halli” or “Our Village”, I am storyboarding industriousness, sustainable living and entrepreneurship amongst rural Indian women. You see these gorgeous ladies in this display making a livelihood, by cheerfully carrying supplies, pounding spices, driving wagons and acting as the bread-winners in their homes by doing what they do best – nurture, serve and protect.

We then move along to the market place, manned by none other than Mr. & Mrs. Shetty – they symbolize the “vypari” or the merchant in the social strata of India. This particular couple is selling a variety of spices and condiments, waiting to welcome onlookers and customers into their store, whether it just for local gossip, or to make a considerable purchase. 

Beware, you cannot fool savvy Mr. Shetty, for he sure will make you pay the price, while still keeping up with the chatter!

Not to be undone, we have Subamma, who has set up shop, right next door. Selling snacks, (they sure are spicy – have you seen how many habanero sauce bottles she has in stock?) and Tiffin, Subamma, calls herself a “Dinasi Angadi” meaning “General Store”, but that’s only because she does not have a food license. 

That sure does not stop her from whipping out dosas and idlys by the dozen to hungry travelers. Does it? 

We then present an ode to everyday entertainment, far back from the time where there was no 24/7 cable TV, internet and smart phones. Presenting to you the “Grand Circus”, replete with a non-creepy clown, puppets, a ringmaster, magicians and acrobats!

The Indian classical musicians cannot be left far behind. Here they are, orchestrating a “Kacheri” with all their favorite string and percussion instruments, facilitating the conjugal harmony of Krishna and Radha in a swing nearby! 

Speaking of conjugal harmony, we have our own take on “happily ever after” with “Winter Wonderland”. Here we have Prince Charming and Princess Incognito serenading each other in a snow filled landscape, replete with magical fairies, elves and friendly trolls rollicking around in a Disneyesque environment! 

How enchanting is that?

In Dasara, we revere mythological heroes; however, it only is fair that we honor our real life heroes also for good measure right? Here we have the local firefighters in a daring rescue mission, carrying a baby out of a smoky building. 

Standing far away and watching with wonder is Caillou, a Canadian children’s TV star, who has just returned from school! (This was my daughter’s storyboard, in case you are wondering).

You see, this gets real animated. And really interesting and fun once we get into the groove of the festivities. If you have been following my Dasara bombe set up every year, you have seen my collection of dolls grow, and my display evolve into something alive, something fun, and something memorable for me, my friends and my family.

Settled in far flung corners of the world, we Indians are bound together by a common heritage..a shared joy that abounds in nostalgia of festivals we celebrated while growing up! It is a joy to see virtual family and friends here in the blogosphere, and social media revel in the same delight about my doll display and storytelling, that I once did as a kid! 

It is my aspiration that I keep on adding to this doll collection every year, and continue to think of new ways to present the most magnificent version of a story, or a concept and of a myth.

I aspire to bring to life community norms, societal traditions, fantasy and reality, and weave it together in the form a story. For me and my children to enjoy…What better way to do this than during Dasara, where tradition predicates the story telling, and culture presupposes creative expression?

I aspire to keep color and culture at the forefront of my story telling, and it’s so easy today with everything being digital.

I aspire to keep native aspects of our culture at the forefront of my story telling too, and that's tough to retain with everything being new age and western.

Whether it’s the safekeeping of the “Pattada Bombe” or the married couple doll set that gets gifted to every married woman as part of her wedding trousseau (I have two, although I got married only once! J, I guess it will propitiously serve to be allotted one for each of my girls!), or the redesign of the bombe mane steps to be more green and modern. I aspire never to get predictable. 

I aspire to keep culture alive. And never to let the enthusiasm fade. And never to stop spinning a tale!

I hope this picture post filled with snapshots of this year’s festive Dasara Bombe Habba from our home has filled you with as much joy and inspiration, as I hoped it would!

So, my dear dear readers. Was this a joyous respite for you?

Did this post rekindle childhood memories? What IS your favorite Dasara tradition?

And thank you really, thank you for being part of my virtual Dasara celebration. The festival is no fun without you! Have a fantastic festival !!

Also, stay tuned for Part 2 of Dasara  Bombe Habba festivities- from Deepa's home. 

Love,
Supriya 

p.s: All photographs are shot by me, and are part of the Dasara Bombe Habba of our home. Please do not use without permission.

Dashavataram - The fascinating legend of the ten avatars of Vishnu!

Dear lovely Aalayam family,

Continuing on the festivities of Dasara and Diwali, its time for some story telling. On the anvil of Vijaya Dasahami,  literally meaning the victory on the dashmi, the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month, lets sit down and revisit some well loved, and well worn fables!

As the legend goes, Dasara or "Dasha-hara" literally means removal of ten referring to Lord Rama's victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravana. So, who is Rama? Want me to start the story? 

Ok, here goes, my favorite part of the legend associated with Dasara Bombe Habba is the Dashavataram, (Sanskrit: अवतार, derives from daśa, meaning 'ten' and avatāra, meaning 'descent'). According to the legend, God Vishnu incarnates on Earth from time to time to eradicate evil forces, to restore harmony and to liberate the worthy ones or devotees from the cycle of births and deaths.

Vishnu's avatars follow an evolutionary pattern, from fish and amphibian, through mammals and men. And it is through these avatars that Vishnu maintains his role as the great preserver of all creation.

I took a humble stab at staging these little wooden statues I have of the ten incarnations in different media- Sand, Grass, Metal..you will see it. You see, it is with poignancy that I put these dolls away until next Dasara, and I figured this is the perfect time to share the legend behind each of these avatars with each evocative picture..preserved here in Aalayam...for current and future generations to see. 

The first incarnation is in the form of an enormous fish known as Mastya. In this form, Vishnu saved the four Vedas from being lost forever in the great flood (pralaya),  you see these Vedas or sacred texts were being smuggled away during this flood, by a demon called Hayagriva, and this demon was descending into the ocean. So Vishnu quickly took the form of Matsya and vanquished the demon to deliver the Vedas back to the rightful sources. 

And in a very interesting parallel to the Bible, in this fast approaching flood, signalling an end to all life on earth, Vishnu had just enough time to save one special person from the ocean - he saved "Manu", the forefather of all mankind!

The second avatar of Vishnu is Kurma, the strong turtle. During a routine battle between the gods (devatas) and the demons (asuras), the gods lost all their strength due to a curse. The only way they could  redeem themselves off the curse was to churn the primitive ocean of milk using a mountain as a churning stick to get the ambrosial nectar out. And, for this they had to collaborate with the enemy camp - the asuras.

 But,  the asuras drove a hard bargain, they wanted a share of the nectar of immortality. Agreeing to a settlement, the devatas and the asuras got to work. But, soon, the mountain began to sink!, Lo and Behold, Vishnu quickly took the form of the turtle Kurma and crawled under the mountain to keep it afloat with its strong shell! The nectar was out, the devatas cheated the asuras off their share, regained their strength, and peace was restored, at least in God land!

The rugged boar is the third incarnation of Vishnu. So, remember the great pralaya (flood)?, soon after that, when the creator was busy revamping the new world, a demon called Hiranyaksha stole Bhoomidevi (Mother Earth) and kept her for himself. The gods were outraged by this atrocity and summoned Lord Vishnu - of course! 

Vishnu, quickly transformed himself into a giant boar & used his powerful sense of smell to search for the demon who was in hiding. Once he found the demon, he hooked the Mother Earth on to his tusks and rescued her from the demon. Varaha, or the boar, rammed the demon with his powerful tusks and that was the end of the demon! Bhoomidevi was saved, and was sanctified by the touch of Lord Vishnu in boar form!!

After the great boar Varaha destroyed Hiranyaksha, his brother, Demon King Hiranyakashipu, raged with revenge and anger. He tortured Vishnu's followers, despite having his own son, Prahalada, as a devout follower of Vishnu. You know, to add insult to injury, the king was protected by an enchantment that he could not be killed by god, man or animal, or that he would not die on earth or in space, by burning or drowning, during day time or night, indoors or outdoors! How's that for a water tight enchantment huh? 

The king was irritated that Prahalada would not stop believing in Vishnu, and challenged Vishnu to appear else, he would behead his own son! But, appear he did, Vishnu, in half-man, half-lion form (Narasimha), as the fourth incarnation of Vishnu. In a smart and covert move, Narasimha was able to kill the king during twilight hours, and place his body on his lap, above the earth, yet, not in space, standing in a doorway threshold. Now, how's that for finding a loophole? 

The fifth incarnation of Vishnu is a clever drawf "Vamana". Another king of demons, called Bali relocated from the underworld on to the earth and banished  Indra, the head of gods away from the earth. In order to vanquish Bali's ego, and to push him back to where he belonged, Vishnu, shrunk down to the size of a unassuming dwarf and asked Bali if he could have just as much land, as much was covered by his three steps. Looking at Vamanas short legs and feet, Bali laughed and agreed. 

Vishnu, then revealed himself to the demon king, transforming from Vamana's dimunitive form into that of a giant, that kept on growing until he was looking down at the earth from outer space!! Vishnu, then took his three fateful steps. One step covered everything Bali owned in the heavens. The other covered the entire earth. Having nowhere to put his third step, Vishnu asked Bali where he should rest his final step. A man of his word, Bali offered his head, on which Vishnu rested his foot, thus vanquishing the demon king's ego for good!

The sixth incarnation of Vishnu is Parashurama, also known as Rama with an ax. His story occurs when the warriors or the Kshtriyas were dishonoring their name by corruption and disrespect to the priest caste or the Brahmins. A Brahmin boy called Parashurama wielded his ax when a kshtriya king stole a priest's magical cow,sending a clear message that the Brahmins were now capable of protecting themselves! 

The story gets more populist as we go forward. Vishnu's seventh incarnation is in the form of Rama, the great hero of the epic story Ramayana. Rama was banished from his rightful kingdom by his wicked stepmother and was exiled for 14 years! His wife was abducted by the nefarious king Ravana. Rama takes the help of the monkey god Hanuman and his army to vanquish Ravana and get his wife Sita back!

The tenth day of Dasara marks the end of the war of Ramayana, where Ravana was killed. Aptly called Vijaya Dasami, meaning the tenth day of Victory! It is said that Rama's legacy as the ideal man, husband and king, is an inspiration to millions of Indians everyday! (Although I think he should have stuck to Sita, and not banished her again after people starting talking bad about her honor!, well, that is a story for another day) 

The eighth incarnation of Vishnu is Krishna. Krishna vanquished the evil political king called Kamsa and played a very strategic role in the Mahabharata war, playing both sides in a almost nefarious fashion between the Pandava and the Kaurava army. Krishna is revered as a god today by millions of people around the world, thanks partly to the Hare Krishna movement, which celebrates the love between Krishna and his devout lover Radha!

The ninth incarnation of Vishnu is Buddha. Overburdened with  dogma and pointless rituals, animal sacrifices and violence of modern day, Vishnu manifested himself on earth as Buddha. Buddha's radical thinking inspired to end the cycle of rebirth and attain the state of bliss known as nirvana.

By practicing the principles of detachment, mindfulness and meditation, he preached, and practiced, that one could overcome the suffering of existence.  Buddha is often depicted on a lotus, calmly meditating, and wearing a simple garment, usually a robe! 

Kalki is the tenth and final Maha Avatar of Vishnu. Also known as the avatar of the future. He is to appear at the end of the present age of Kali Yuga (Age of Darkness), when the environment is polluted and society is shrouded with hate and corruption. Kalki will arrive as a one man army to demolish the imperfect earth. He will appear as a crusader riding a white horse, brandishing a flaming sword and acting as a final judge and savior of mankind.....

Well folks, that is the legend. And the most awesome part of the whole legend is the speculated link to the theory of evolution. Think about it!

• Matsya - fish, the first life in water (Aquatic Life)
• Kurma - turtle, the life in land and water (Amphibian Life)
• Varaha - animals on land (Terrestrial Life)
• Narasimha - beings between animal and human (Hominids)
• Vamana - short human beings (Dwarfs and Primates, the start of the Homoerectus)
• Parasurama - humans using weapons (Early Man, knowing the use of arms)
• Rama - humans living in community (Early Man, living in organized society)
• Krishna - humans with animal husbandary (Evolved Man, with knowledge of politics and commerce)
• Buddha - humans with evolved awareness and actualization (Zen is in folks!)
• Kalki - humans with the power of destruction (Current Man, with Nuclear Power)

Is that not enough food for thought? The legend of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, never fails to fascinate me!

Does it intrigue you?

Love,

Supriya

p.s. Thank you to Sanjay Patel for his inspiring book "The Little Book of Hindu Deities" and little nuggets of fascinating story that brought back all of my grandmother's tales I had heard in my childhood. 

The pictures are  photographed by me. Copyrighted to Aalayam. Use with permission please. And, in case anyone is interested, the Dashavataram set of wooden figurines are available at the Desi Angadi in Bangalore.