Bombe Habba: Where Dolls Tell Stories and Sustain Livelihoods
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...