For most Bangaloreans, summer may mean nothing more than taking care of one’s health, wearing light clothes and trying to beat heat when stuck in day-to-day traffic jams. However for children summer has a whole new meaning. With a lot of spare time in hand children are bound to coax parents to take them to city’s various malls that pose enough attraction in the forms of hi-tech entertainment mediums and eat outs. Obviously many would agree that spending time regularly at any of the city malls is not everyone’s cup of tea.

So are affordable means of entertainment a thing of the past? Probably not. Thanks to efforts of a few Bangaloreans one can find interesting, engrossing and yet affordable means of entertainment for children right in the heart of the city. Situated at Bal Bhavan, lies an interesting doll museum; an initiative by Rotary Bangalore Midtown Centennial. Says Kiran Boal Immediate Past President of Rotary Bangalore Midtown, “The museum was thought about as a novel concept and moreover as part of Rotary’s centenary celebrations we wanted to bring something interesting to the city. As on today; our target is to source dolls from over a hundred countries and right now on display one can find an interesting confluence of cultures through these dolls from over sixty one countries.”

Splashed with vibrant colours and accessories, the dolls stand in complete silence waiting to be admired. Reflecting each country’s culture and emotions of the region they belong to, these dolls represent the ethnic diversities found across the globe. One can find dolls right from the Wright brothers to Elvis Presley and even the limited edition of Anne Boleyn who was one of six wives of Henry VIII to many more like the wooden carvings from Vanuatu sent by the Rotary club of Port Vila where they have no native dolls.

A closer look at some of the costumes worn by these dolls look quite impressive like the Malaysian royal couple dressed in gold robes or the Japanese doll wearing a red kimono. More and more dolls are added to the collection regularly including some breathtaking dolls from Croatia and Pakistan.

Made from wood, velvet, cloth, and beads these dolls have been sent by various Rotary clubs across the globe including Philippines, United Kingdom, Turkey, Hawaii, Nashville, Germany, Chile, Brazil and more. Set up on the show windows of both sides of Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar Victory hall in Bal Bhavan, the dolls catch the attention of any passerby.

Adds Kiran Boal on the attraction level that these dolls pose towards children. “Children who come here cannot stop gazing at them and personally if you ask me these dolls reflect cultural diversities across the globe and thereby teach geography and history for anyone.”

With absolutely no cFor most Bangaloreans, summer may mean nothing more than taking care of one’s health, wearing light clothes and trying to beat heat when stuck in day-to-day traffic jams. However for children summer has a whole new meaning. With a lot of spare time in hand children are bound to coax parents to take them to city’s various malls that pose enough attraction in the forms of hi-tech entertainment mediums and eat outs. Obviously many would agree that spending time regularly at any of the city malls is not everyone’s cup of tea.

So are affordable means of entertainment a thing of the past? Probably not. Thanks to efforts of a few Bangaloreans one can find interesting, engrossing and yet affordable means of entertainment for children right in the heart of the city. Situated at Bal Bhavan, lies an interesting doll museum; an initiative by Rotary Bangalore Midtown Centennial. Says Kiran Boal Immediate Past President of Rotary Bangalore Midtown, “The museum was thought about as a novel concept and moreover as part of Rotary’s centenary celebrations we wanted to bring something interesting to the city. As on today; our target is to source dolls from over a hundred countries and right now on display one can find an interesting confluence of cultures through these dolls from over sixty one countries.”

Splashed with vibrant colours and accessories, the dolls stand in complete silence waiting to be admired. Reflecting each country’s culture and emotions of the region they belong to, these dolls represent the ethnic diversities found across the globe. One can find dolls right from the Wright brothers to Elvis Presley and even the limited edition of Anne Boleyn who was one of six wives of Henry VIII to many more like the wooden carvings from Vanuatu sent by the Rotary club of Port Vila where they have no native dolls.

A closer look at some of the costumes worn by these dolls look quite impressive like the Malaysian royal couple dressed in gold robes or the Japanese doll wearing a red kimono. More and more dolls are added to the collection regularly including some breathtaking dolls from Croatia and Pakistan.

Made from wood, velvet, cloth, and beads these dolls have been sent by various Rotary clubs across the globe including Philippines, United Kingdom, Turkey, Hawaii, Nashville, Germany, Chile, Brazil and more. Set up on the show windows of both sides of Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar Victory hall in Bal Bhavan, the dolls catch the attention of any passerby.

Adds Kiran Boal on the attraction level that these dolls pose towards children. “Children who come here cannot stop gazing at them and personally if you ask me these dolls reflect cultural diversities across the globe and thereby teach geography and history for anyone.”

With absolutely no charges levied for visiting this interesting doll museum, most definitely parents make good use of the holidays that the kids have. So how about taking your child to an unusual outing rather than killing time at the regular bowling centre this Saturday?
harges levied for visiting this interesting doll museum, most definitely parents make good use of the holidays that the kids have. So how about taking your child to an unusual outing rather than killing time at the regular bowling centre this Saturday?