Bhubaneswar: While most of her school friends are engaged in conventional hobbies like singing, dancing and painting, nine-year-old Dibyanshi Behura from the city has a different passon.
Dibyanshi has been collecting matchboxes, a rare hobby in Odisha, since the tender age of six.
“I had seen my father bringing matchboxes from other states for his friend. After seeing those matchboxes, I developed an interest in collecting too,” said Dibyanshi, a Class III student at DAV School at Unit-8 in Bhubaneswar.
Dibyanshi’s father Basanta Behura is a wildlife photographer and often goes to other states as part of his profession.
“Once, I had gone to Assam and brought back different varieties of matchboxes for my friend, who is a philumenist. Dibyanshi observed all of them minutely and told me that she was interested in taking up the hobby,” Basanta recalled.
“Initially, I thought that she was joking. Then she forced me to give her some matchboxes, which I had brought from for my friend. Then I started bringing matchboxes for her. My friends also helped her in collecting matchboxes,” he added.
Basant further informed that his daughter exchanges matchboxes with other phillumenists. “Some senior philumenists from other states like her activity as she has developed this hobby at a very tender age. They send her rare matchboxes,” he said.
Dibyanshi has now a collection of more than 5,000 matchboxes. She has also received the ‘Bal Sangrahak Award’ in a national-level contest.
“Her grandparents and uncles also help her in collecting matchboxes. Now, instead of bringing sweets, they bring matchboxes for my daughter while visiting us,” said Basanta.
On his part, Basant is a numismatist and a philatelist. “I have been collecting stamps and coins since my childhood. I have coins and notes from many countries. I have also a rare collection of antique cameras,” said Basanta.
“Though I had passion for collecting stamps and coins since my childhood, now I am more serious as I am inspired by my daughter,” he added.
Basant’s wife also chips in to help in organising the collected items. “My wife has also interest in these collections. She used to research and study on matchbox, coin and stamp collections. We want to do an exhibition to showcase our collections to the public,” said Basanta.
