A Sojourn With The Dolls

Dolly, Dolly!

Yes, Girlie

Roaming around?

No, Girlie

Skipping about?

No Girlie

Show your feet!

Ha! Ha! Ha!

 

Brisk walking my way through the many labyrinthine streets and alleys of Central Delhi in the month of January, with the morning sun beating down my neck, I decided to take a break and slowed down to a stroll. Central Delhi – the most tranquil and scenic locale in the entire city, with its bountiful trees, now stark naked in the middle of the cold season, on the bare branches of which, birds of different varieties sat twittering, basking in the glory of the bright sunlight.

This particular day, I decided to deviate from my oft taken path and reached the hustle and bustle section, with its intersecting roadways and a few towering buildings.

Bang in the middle of this office/commercial district, I suddenly found myself in front of Shankar’s International Dolls Museum. Nestled among more than a dozen or so offices, is this little bundle of joy with its vast array of dolls from all over the world.

 

“Seized by a whim, she decided to undertake this beautiful journey once again, the last time being – she didn’t remember when – though she did recall that she came here with her parents then.

Purchasing a ticket (which was relatively cheap by today’s standards, just 18 bucks / 28 cents), she eagerly proceeded through the winding staircase, up to the foyer, where the museum was housed.

The tour had just started, with a teaser of what was to come, in the form of 8 large posters of various dolls occupying a sizeable space on the walls of the foyer. A flicker of recognition ran through her as she recognized one of the posters as being of her favorite doll, dressed up in the traditional attire of Slovak Republic, of which she had preserved a cut-out from the children’s magazine ‘Magic Pot’ when it had featured this museum in its issue ages back.”

 

The “she” above – being the child in me – suddenly seemed to have overpowering control over my consciousness. Going forward, I came upon the sliding doors where a life-size doll in complete Indian attire (a sari draped beautifully with bangles, necklace, nose stud and a bindi completing the look) welcomes you with folded hands (i.e. namaskar / Hello).

 

And now, let the journey unfold…

 

Let me take you forward

In a journey so profound

The train is on stand by

To take you through the town

 

The town of the dolls

From all over the world

I want to chug along

And enter the dream world

 

The Spanish flamenco dancers

Are as gorgeous as can be

Riveting are the French dresses

That will surely captivate thee

 

Anne of Green Gables

Of Canada is also there

So are the Maypole dancers

Of Hungary with much fanfare

 

The New Zealand Maori doll’s tattoos

Are a sight to behold

While the Yurt* of Turkmenistan

Portray the nomadic household

 

The Sakura^¥ dolls of Japan

Are enjoying their festivities

 The Kampuchea^ dolls being

Busy with their activities.

 

Be it the Dan Tranh^† of Vietnam

Or the South Korean Kayagum^‡

These miniature stringed instruments

Are akin to the Santoor^§ back home

 

Home is where the Heart is

Or so they say

From where do I even begin?

To describe India’s play

 

With so many different cultures

Traditions similar yet distinct

Each state has its own pieces

And yet they all are linked

 

Though there were many dolls from numerous nations as well as almost all of the states of India, I recalled those most which somehow left an indelible impression on me. I completely lost track of time and didn’t realize how the hours flew by as when I exited the museum, I registered the fact that I had spent nearly 3 hours in there. I was absolutely in its thrall.

It was definitely a fulfilling journey as I got to relive my childhood.