Dasara is a few days away and the mood has set in. ‘Kolu’ — the display of dolls — is the highlight of this festival dedicated to Devi and Mylapore is a famous hub to source icons. Sellers from all over Tamil Nadu and beyond converge here attracting buyers with their freshly painted wares. Most of them are regulars, like Padmini.
“My parents initiated me into this world of dolls. ‘Come what may, don’t give it up,’ my father said. So I’ve been coming back here, again and again,” says Padmini, who has spread her array of dolls and awaits new arrivals as the festival approaches. She has been doing this for 40 years. The family lived in Nungambakkam and she helped her parents in those days. After marriage she moved to Oorapakkam and is assisted by her brother and son.
Padmini’s dolls
Padmini has a wide range — from compact Ganesa to huge Srinivasa-Padmavati and Puri Jagannath. The price too ranges from hundreds to thousands. As passers-by enquire and move on, Padmini smiles. “It’s too early. They’ll take a look at all the shops and come back,” she remarks. The price of course is negotiable.
She has been selling dolls for four decades. Has the scene changed? “Everything is expensive these days and transportation is a huge cost factor. We get the dolls from several places in the State and the money we spend on shipping has shot up manifold,” she explains.
“I have shifted from the other end of this street to this place (outside Indian Bank). More people are buying dolls these days. Kolu has transcended community barriers. Everybody wants to celebrate the festival and it has become more an occasion to meet friends and relatives. Besides there is something very auspicious and positive about Kolu, which everyone wants to experience. So the buyer circle has expanded,” she elaborates.
Padmini
Are there any favourites?
“The divine trio — Lakshmi-Vinayaka-Saraswati — is a must for starters. So they are always in demand. Of course Krishna and the Rama Set. And Durga,” replies Padmini. Is there a seasonal craze? “Oh yes,” she nods vigorously. “One year, every one asked for Shirdi Sai and another time it was Raghavendra. We must be prepared to cater to such fancies.”
So what’s new this year? “Pandurangan-Rugmayi,” pat comes the reply. The Pandarpur Pair stand tall in gorgeous clothes and accessories all painted in pleasing hues. And Tirupati Brahmotsavam — a set of 20 pieces. The deity is seen on all the vahanas, with all the paraphernalia.
Perfect moulds
Nice features is what one notices in Padmini’s dolls. “Yes, we take care to see that the figures are proportionate and the faces lively. We order dolls only from artisans, who have good moulds,” she responds. Their palette seems to have more colours than in the past. For instance, burnished gold and earthy ochre. And black seems to be the trend.
“Black is not taboo any more. People want images painted in black to get the feel of the Moola vigraha in a temple. The gold paint on the black gives a stunning effect, which people love,” says Padmini. “See,” she points to Sri Ranganathar, Andal-Rangamannar, Tirupati Balaji, Suruttappalli Sivan-Parvati and so on. Arresting indeed!
The dolls are gorgeous but they can’t match some of the antique ones that have been preserved for generations in some homes. “Yes,” agrees Padmini solemnly. “You know, the quality of sand was very good in those days. And the dolls were hand-polished until the surface was smooth as silk. I have myself made dolls. Now, time is of the essence and machines have taken over most of the work. Guns are used for painting,” she explains. Also scarcity of quality sand has ushered in papier mache. Light to handle and less fragile, the dolls dominate the display.
With her four-decade background, Padmini should have regular clients. “Oh yes,” she beams. “They start calling me even before I arrive,” she says proudly.
“They never fail to visit me. They bring home-made delicacies and small gifts.”
Padmini sells fruits back home. “But that’s a livelihood. This is my passion,” she says. Which makes her ignore inconveniences — sleeping on the street, invasion of mosquitoes and harassment by some elements. Besides they have to watch out for rain. “I’ve become older and not as agile as I used to be. I may or may not make a profit. But I spend 11 months of the year looking forward to these 30 days — Mahalaya Paksham and Navaratri — when we camp in Mylapore and I’m close to my dolls,” she says.
Padmini can be reached at 9710064412. Her brother Swami answers the call. “We take orders on whatsapp. Dolls, carefully packed in bubble wrap, will be delivered at your doorstep,” he says.
