--- title: "Gombes: Handcrafted Channapatna Dolls for Festive Golu Displays" description: "Discover our collection of Gombes and traditional wooden dolls from Channapatna. From Kathakali figures to festive Golu displays, our handcrafted Gombes bring heritage to your home." canonical: https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/artisan-toys-traditional-games/gombes-a-festival-of-dolls last_updated: 2025-09-12 --- # Gombes: Traditional Channapatna Dolls Tribe Verified · Reviving Channapatna doll-making for a decade. By [Varnam Craft Collective](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective) · Stores in Bengaluru, Mysuru & Goa; Ships across India · ₹2,650 per set (estimate) Part of [Artisan Toys & Traditional Games](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/artisan-toys-traditional-games). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/artisan-toys-traditional-games/gallery) We are reviving the Channapatna Gombe tradition, bringing folklore and festive joy to your home with hand-painted, lac-turned wooden dolls. ## Photos and videos - [Video: For centuries, the toy town of Channapatna has been known to make dolls or 'Gombes' for the festival of Navratri. Here are some of our bestsellers from the Golu collection, including the Yakshaganas and Kathakali dolls.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ba18b298-9402-4e01-a6e7-1d97f27d8d5b) - [Video: The festive season is here, and we couldn't be more excited as this means our Varnam toy family finds new homes. These glossy, colorful, and hand-painted dolls represent decades of a tradition that is characteristic of Channapatna.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/163d4f88-3064-41a1-bfe8-6ca8b4129dd8) - [Video: It's been over a decade of reinterpreting this craft, and I realized how important it was to also display it in its original form. This reel shows some classics, like the nesting dolls and dolls depicting scenes from daily village life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/865df735-4be3-4172-8e1b-79f2759eec2e) - [Video: Navratri is the time when we showcase the hand-painted wooden dolls we have revived over the years. These dolls, born from the rich heritage of Channapatna, whisper of simpler times and celebrate India’s vibrant cultural history.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/184b637c-045a-4ccb-83cb-9bc9d8a4c817) - [Video: Part two of our Dasara Gombe Classics are back in stock. This video features the beloved Basavas and the majestic Mysuru Gaja elephants, essential pieces for any traditional Golu display.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0ef57289-689b-48eb-ac95-58d84caf1e8b) - [Video: Theyyam meets Channapatna. We’ve brought the spirit of North Kerala’s vibrant ritual art form to life through the age-old toy craft. Each handcrafted doll is a tribute to Theyyam’s fiery reds and divine energy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d86d0fd9-6777-4988-9722-f584e7f2f962) - [Video: The twirling Theyyam is our take on this beautiful dance form in our signature Channapatna style. This stackable design makes a beautiful decorative object and also takes on a new form every time you stack it up.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6acc2035-9ccf-459a-b804-6009c5bdec95) - [Video: Our biggest hit at a recent exhibition was this colorful and cute bobble-headed Theyyam doll, a mini version of our popular stackable 'Twirling Theyyams'.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/89ee5577-3c0c-46c6-b37b-d9ce6375292a) - [Video: Our stacking Theyyam doll is a contemporary take on Channapatna toys, where each time you stack its parts differently, it takes on a new 'Roopa' or Avatar, just like the many forms of this powerful folk dance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0cfb37d6-5947-40aa-8ad1-dedefc8370be) - [Video: Our all-time classic Kathakali and our new Theyyam bobble heads are an absolute hit. We've made them available as a special gift set for the Onam season, a true collector’s set for anyone who loves the beauty of Kerala.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3bc68ef9-33ee-4c3a-a993-430327b7e2f5) - ![A deconstructed view of our stacking Theyyam doll, showing the individual lac-turned pieces that come together to form the powerful figure. This piece is a testament to the skill and precision of our Channapatna artisans.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/481c1254-e862-4a6f-9fa8-49d8d1ccc309) - [Video: Kathakali is a major theatrical dance form from Kerala. These dolls are no different in their complexity; the wood is first turned and lacquered, then the body and face are intricately painted with oil paints.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3fd6886c-3710-4e89-8752-51c9f3d0fca1) - [Video: We are reviving lost traditions with these Yakshagana dolls. This beautiful traditional dance theatre form from Karnataka has been brought to life by our artisans from Channapatna.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81f30426-e32c-46c3-9dde-584aad2aea07) - [Video: These are one of the oldest traditional dolls from Channapatna, the Tenshi Kogo, meaning Emperor and Empress in Japanese. The form shows a Japanese influence, a tribute to the Japanese revival of this craft in the 1950s.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81116fab-8cb2-4e62-ad79-e994648c107b) - [Video: The Tenshi Kogo dolls carry a tale of cross-cultural inspiration. The story goes that the Maharaja of Mysore sent an artisan to Japan to learn the technique, and when he returned, he taught others, leading to these 'Japanese dolls'.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e61b059d-b6e2-44a2-887d-83087374b4a7) - [Video: The Mysore Dasara procession is the highlight of the state festival of Karnataka. Our Mysuru Gaja dolls, depicting the decorated elephants, are a part of our initiative to revive the traditional doll stories of Channapatna.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e0082317-59e5-4284-89ac-049e697badad) - [Video: We offer traditional Ganeshas in various forms, handcrafted by our artisans from Channapatna. This revives a decade-old tradition of making dolls for the festive season.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/11fea2cb-5c27-451f-875d-11eded8db211) - [Video: While we believe in reimagining Channapatna through modern design, we also feel it's important to honor its roots. For the festive season, we are delighted to bring back these timeless Ganesha dolls.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c139c4bf-6474-4964-87b7-fcf553ac681b) - [Video: A look at the classic set of three 'Bandwalas', one of the most traditional and classic old dolls from Channapatna, perfect for adding a touch of musical charm to your Golu display.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6aa50282-8d3e-455b-9742-2cec1ba4e0e9) - ![The Basavas are in Mysuru. These iconic bull figurines, central to many local traditions, are a key part of our Gombe collection and a symbol of our connection to the region's culture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/395de1cf-c368-4291-b73e-ade6abd6e7d0) - [Video: Which of these cute handmade dolls is your favorite? Capturing the essence of different regions of India, these soft dolls are available in various colors and skin tones at our stores.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c8a89718-6fa1-4609-b232-304b0e5e34a2) - [Video: We now have some of the cutest crochet toys available at our stores and online, from turtles and elephants to unicorns and caterpillars. These soft sleep buddies are perfect for little ones.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/04a9811a-e5e1-432b-aa69-1a5f8eda3cc1) - [Video: It's a proud journey for us and our artisan family to see our traditional dolls find a place of pride in modern spaces, like this beautiful corporate office that wanted to celebrate the spirit of Karnataka.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a594e265-db6d-41b1-af99-a740049d4813) ## About Gombes: A Festival of Dolls A note on care: These dolls are crafted from medicinal Aale mara (ivory wood) and finished with natural, non-toxic dyes. Because they rely on traditional lac-turnery and delicate hand-painting, they are decorative keepsakes, meant for display, rather than toys for young children to play with. For centuries, Channapatna has been the quiet heartbeat of Indian toy making, known for producing 'Gombes'—the traditional dolls that anchor festive displays like Navratri Golu. Over the last decade, we have worked to bring these figures back into contemporary homes, not as relics, but as living pieces of our heritage. ### The Art of the Gombe Each figure, whether it is the Kathakali dancer or the majestic Mysuru Gaja, begins its life on a lathe. Our artisans, including Dilip and his team, use Wrightia Tinctoria, a medicinal wood that is gentle to work with. The process is slow by design. After the wood is turned, we apply natural lac and paint each face with precision. You will notice the difference in the finish—it has a certain rustic depth that factory-made plastic figures lack. ### Collections and Stories We don't just reproduce old forms; we look for stories. Our 'Tenshi Kogo' pair is a tribute to the cross-cultural history of the region, where a Maharaja once sent an artisan to Japan, leading to these distinct Emperor and Empress figures. We have also reimagined the fiery energy of Theyyam, a ritual art form from Kerala, into stackable, vibrant wooden dolls. ### Styling Your Space These Gombes are versatile. While they are the centerpiece of any traditional Golu arrangement during Dasara, they work just as well as standalone accents on a bookshelf or a console table. Because every piece is hand-painted, no two dolls are identical. You are bringing home a small piece of Channapatna that is uniquely yours. ## About Varnam Craft Collective We are not just selling dolls; we are keeping a century-old conversation alive. I started Varnam to give these silent wooden figures a voice, connecting the hands of Channapatna artisans directly to your living room. 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