Dussera - A Festival Of Dolls Poem by Padmanabhan Ananth

Come October - it's time for our Dussera dolls
After a year-long rest and slumber in the attic
They all wake up ready to meet and greet all
Out of wrapped-up bags, out of carton box

But before that the stand must be readied
Slotted angles, steel sheets, literal nuts-n-bolts
Stand is set after sweating hours and twisting spanners
Then clothed in white cottons - washed and pressed

Beautifully hand-crafted dolls, in singles and in sets
Some are images of Devas and Devis* sitting or standing
Some are saints, composers or just common folk
The sets tell stories of yore, the singles just beatific smiles

They've come home from all over the country, a few expats too!
Further adorning them are little wedding sets and kitchen sets
The vendor with his wares, the tiny soldiers and musicians
Little lights glitter and glow in cheer, fruits and flowers adorn

Come evenings, womenfolk visit to share the joy
Some sing Carnatic** kritis, others smile just as well
Small bags of goodies handed out with pleasantries
The kids are all excited too, at the nine-day festival

But the significance of Navaratri^ must not also be lost:
We invoke the energies of Devi, Durga or Shakti^^
The Divine Energy that creates, preserves and destroys
The Energy that never perishes but only replenishes by Dussera
- - -
*Gods and godesses.
**A form of classical music popular in South India.
^Nine nights, for that long the festival lasts.
^^Different names for Godess Parvati, the consort of Shiva.