Sunil Mysore says...

 Bombe Habba: Where Dolls Tell Stories and Sustain Livelihoods   From Empires to Living Rooms: When Navaratri arrives in Karnataka, homes begin to glow with carefully arranged steps of dolls. Known as Bombe Habba , this Doll Festival is not just about decoration - it is about storytelling, devotion, and heritage. The tradition has its roots in the Vijayanagara Empire and was nurtured by the Mysore Wodeyars, who made dolls and displays a part of their grand Dasara festivities. Over time, what began as royal patronage became a cherished household practice across the state. A Festival of Stories Each doll arrangement during Bombe Habba is like a miniature stage. Some recreate mythological tales like Ramayana or Mahabharata , while others show everyday life in a village - farmers at work, women drawing water, children playing. More recently, themes also include modern issues such as environmental awareness or social reforms. Homes thus become cultural classrooms, where children a...

Photo Courtesy: Mr. Rajendra Adhikari, Director of Studies, Nepal Administrative Staff College (NASC), Nepal There’s a unique sense of anticipation that tingles in the air when you land in a new city. But when I landed at Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore for the Faculty Development Program at IIM Indore , my curiosity sparked—not just by the city, but by the remarkable woman whose name seemed to echo everywhere. Who was Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, I wondered? Her name adorned the airport, the university, and countless public institutions across Madhya Pradesh. It wasn’t long before I found my answer—not just through facts, but through a deeply moving experience that unfolded in the historic town of Maheshwar . A Royal Detour – Maheshwar, the Capital of Grace and Grit Accompanied by fellow participants and travel friends — Ms. Achala Dahal and Mr. Rajendra Adhikari from Nepal, and friends Dr. Govind  and Ms. Saritha from India—we journeyed to Maheshwar, once known as Mahi...