As also the Pattada Gombe of 'Raja Rani' who would grace each festival.ДЄnother thing that continued was having friends and family members visit our home during the festival, and the encouraging / cajoling of children and adults to sing devara naamas or kritis.

From Ramayana to Bhagavata, and from Dashavatara to Lakshmi Nrusimha Karavalamba Stotram, with other themes like Lalitha Sahasranama, Venkatesha Suprabhata, Shodasha Samskara, 'Glimpses from Kannada Literature'В and 'Contributions of Indians to the World'. As also Maya Bazaar.ДЄs time went by and we moved to Bangalore, the themes changed and evolved. One year it was Gulliver's TravelsВ and another year it was The Pied Piper of Hamlin with mice made from countless seeds of datesВ - grey paint, nose, ears and tail, all. Scenes from fairy tales like Cinderella and Snow White were next. And then it was nursery rhymes like Twinkle Twinkle, Jack and Jill, Hickory Dickory Dock, etc. I vaguely remember her arranging Krishnavatara when I was a toddler. Through the years, one thing remained constant - the theme-based dolls' arrangement by amma - never the traditional padi (steps) bombe. Also not to be forgotten were the ' Ayudha Pooja' sweets - we were after all a steel plant. We kids-who-grew-into-teenagers would, among other things, gather there for the bhog, and dance to Rabindra Sangeet. In Vizag, added to this mix of experiences was the Pujo. And the fancy moving robots and cars arranged in other houses. I remember the shundal that used to be given as prasada in some houses. She would do ' Puja' to us and give us small gifts - chocolates, hair bands, colour pencils, scented erasers and the like. I remember visiting a Bengali auntie's house along with a few other girls of my age. Have to add though that this was about the only odd note to the otherwise wonderful festival of dolls aka Gombe Habba. I can recollect to this day the snigger of the motley gathering of 'more' accomplished youngsters. My attempt to render this geethe was encouraged by the aunties gathered around. The year was 1982, and the occasion, 'Golu' at a Tamil family's house in the steel city of Bhilai. ' Vara veena mrudu paani.' I remember bleating this out under duress, or so it seemed.

Lakshmi stotram youtube