Whenever RT Chari travels abroad, he ensures that his suitcase has a lot of empty space.
He needs it to buy stuff for his miniature collection, which started more than 30 years ago and is still going strong. “Wherever I go, I’m first looking for gift shops from which I can pick up these little beauties,” laughs the 78-year-old, as he ushers me into his drawing room that showcases some of his earliest collections.
It’ll take some time to go through them piece by piece. And some more, if he invites you to the fourth floor of his TAG Centre, which he normally uses for private family functions.
“I still remember the first time I started this collection. It was during a trip to China in the 70s. There were 500 types of dolls, but I could buy only 200 then,” recalls Chari, who is well known for his work in the archival of Carnatic music.
Today, he has travelled to over 50 countries and collected over 4,000-plus dolls, but the fascination never ceases. In fact, ever since he started an exclusive chess collection, it has only grown. “I love chess and so have been collecting chess coin sets over the last two decades. In fact, I even picked up 12 sets during a recent visit to Russia,” remarks Chari about his wonderful collection that has been carefully preserved and maintained, thanks to wife Ranganayaki.
The miniature collection is his stress-buster, he says. “Whenever I feel down and out, all I have to do is re-visit some of the dolls and it immediately perks me up,” he says. Chari has been busy this Navaratri — his golu was filled with dolls from his miniature collection that visitors loved.
Even as he continues his work with Carnatic music archival, Chari is looking to strengthening his miniature collection. On his list is The Philippines, Turkey and Argentina... three places he really wants to go to. And add to his doll collection, we’re sure.
