Settlers from Mysore try to spread Dussehra festivities in Mangalore

While the Tuluva culture is making inroads into Mysore, the charm of living in old Mysore area has permeated into the coastal region and a small group of settlers from Mysore have tried to spread the Mysore Dussehra festivities in Mangalore.

At least 125 families from old Mysore area, who have settled in Mangalore, have formed an organisation called ‘Nammavaru’ and has been holding Dussehra doll exhibition every year.

People from Mangalore have taken a liking to the dolls from Mysore.

“When we began a few years ago, we were apprehensive about the response. But last year, over 75,000 people visited our Dussehra doll exhibition and many have started their own collection and delightfully some of them have better collection too” said general secretary of ‘Nammavaru’ MS Gururaj. “Being away from Mysore for so many years has brought us closer to the culture of Mysore.

Every one of our members has collected so many dolls depicting, agriculture, dance, art, theatre, religion, nature, historic and mythological figures and vehicles and dolls of relics connected to Mysore,” he added.

“A special attraction is a large doll Mysore Palace, all these will be on display at the exhibition. But we are happy that the people from Karavali have accepted us and our culture with great reverence,” said Gururaj.