HYDERABAD: A family in Ashoknagar has put up a collection of toy idols, some of whom are over 100 years old – the oldest going back to more than 150 years. The rare Bommalu Koluvu is part of the annual Dasara celebrations, which have been part of this family since more than seven generations.
Toys displayed thematically are largely of various Gods and Goddesses, and have scenes from epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. There are modern Ganeshas – an advocate, a doctor, one with a laptop, another being read to by His ‘mushak’. There is a procession of Mother Meenakshi, another of Lord Kumaraswamy. Toys also depict day-to-day activities of people from ancient and medieval times.
Playthings and dolls have been purchased by the family over generations from not only across India, but Indonesia, Thailand, South Africa, and Tibet. A separate room has toys depicting a village scene, a zoo, a medical facility, and even an ongoing women’s cricket match.
Bommala Koluvu, which coincides with Navaratri festivities, is celebration of womanhood not just ladies but also men of the house.
A Marapacchi couple, who traditionally symbolise a household couple, is mandatorily displayed. Kondapalli toys, Russian Matryoshka dolls, modern miniatures of superheroes and hot wheels, primordial versions of telephone and typewriter, a few brass objects of pre and post independence era have also been arranged for viewers’ delight.
A Madhubani painting adorns the wall. Completing the festive scenario is people gather around these displays every day during the Navaratri and singing.
Abhinav Ravichander, 37, a senior technical writer, says these toys have been in the family for generations. Some of them have been handmade by his great grandmother and preserved over time.
He signs off saying, “Tradition and religion are two parallel streams. One cannot exist without the other. Kids of our previous generations had used these toys to play. They represent the way of life of those generations. It pains me to see that modernity has eroded our interests in these traditional toys. I, for one, will definitely continue to encourage my children to celebrate our traditions.”
