When exquisitely designed Radhas and Krishnas, vibrantly coloured dancing and head-swaying dolls, dhoti-clad saints, avatars of gods and goddesses in miniature forms come out in all resplendence at the Poompuhar Showroom of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, it obviously indicates Navaratri is round the corner.
Like every year, lot of other private handicrafts emporia and shops are also out with their collection of kolu dolls as people await to lap up the variety.
Poompuhar this time round has wire dolls made of cotton threads. These dolls depict different professions. And so you have cobblers, basket weavers, potters, carpenters, vegetable and fruit vendors concentrating on their work. “A unique feature of these dolls is that they are attired in real fabric,” points out V.Ganesan, the showroom manager.
The ubiquitous deity set of Lakshmi Narayanan, Lakshmi Hayagrivan, Laksmi Narashiman in clay come for Rs.1,300 each. The set of Yasodha Kannan in Gokulam is priced at Rs. 300 while the ‘thalayati bommais' from Thanjavur and Calcutta are available for Rs. 215 and Rs.350 respectively. An exclusive piece this year is the Mahabalipuram set with miniaturised rock-cut temples.
The expo also stocks a wide variety of dolls of Annamalai, Unnamalai, Sarawathi, Lakhmi, Sarabeshwarar, Dattadhareya, Gayathridevi, Valli Deivanai, three icons of Carnatic music - all sourced from Calcutta, Kanchipuram, Vilacheri, Thindivanan and Viradhachalam.
At the Meena Handicrafts Emporium on Dhanappa Mudali Street, has also showcased a good collection of dolls and artefacts brought in from all States. Proprietor C. Mathu, briefs how kolu dolls from Mayvaram and Panrutti have sharp features and an all-pervading smile. “Before starting the process, artisans fast and perform pujas and then engage in doll making adhering to shilpa sastra.
The light weight wooden dolls from Kondapalli in Andhra Pradesh give a tribal touch to Rama, Lakshma, Sita and Hanuman. Any kolu is incomplete with a park and village life. The Kondapalli collection stands out with its rural setting consisting of wells, loaded bullock carts, elephants with Ambari, parrot astrology. These sets cost anywhere between Rs.300 and Rs.2,000.
The copa dolls from Rajasthan are another attractive collection. Except the face which is made of papier mache, the rest of the doll is done in cloth. Radha There are some exclusive items too, like glittering decked Radha-Krishna cost Rs.2,145 while the Ganjendra Moksha from Virudhachalam is for Rs.1,250. These dolls surely enhance the ambience of kolu padi.
Then there are the bright coloured puppets, horse riders, kings and queens from Gujarat and a range of dolls from Orissa with an influence of African art.
Other highlights are the American diamond-studded Meenakshi in the backdrop of Shivalinga. Not only does this doll sparkle but also chants recorded mantras. The piece costs Rs.20,000.
On till October 4, the expo at Poompuhar showroom on West Veli Street is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except Sundays). The Meena Handicraft emporium on Dhanappa Mudali Street will have its collection on display till October 6 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily.
