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An array of dolls at Kolu exhibition

Staff Reporter

Chennapatna and Kondapalli toys make good gifts for children

SEASON'S BEST: Khadi Board Minister K. Ramachandran admires a doll at the Navarathri exhibition which opened at Khadi Kraft, Kuralagam on Wednesday. — PHOTO: R. Shivaji Rao

CHENNAI : The sprawling premises of Khadi Kraft at Kuralagam were transformed into a Kolu showroom with dolls of different sizes and materials greeting the visitors.

Inaugurated by Minister for Khadi Board K. Ramachandran on Wednesday, the `Kolu' exhibition has added new designs this year. A 5-feet papier mache Ganesha seated amidst the colorful rangoli at the entrance lends a festive look to the exhibition. Replicas of Thiruvalluvar and Mahatma Gandhi have been added.

Keeping in mind the Navarathri season, the exhibition has new arrivals, including Garudavahanam, Veeraraghavaperumal and Nithyakalyani Perumal.

The 5-ft Siva Parvathi idol from Pondicherry is this year's attraction.

Besides the customary papier mache idols, this year's collection has an interesting array of doll sets such as Kollatam set (12 pieces), Mahabalipuram set, Krishna Leela and Ravana Durbar.

For those who are on the look out for dolls to gift their children, Chennapatna wooden toys, wire figurines and Kondapalli toys make good choices. A palanquin set, five-in-one dolls and kitchen sets in bright hues should also please children.

Some of the exhibits that attracted a lot of visitor attention were sets of dolls recreating cultural symbols such as ear piercing ceremony, one showing a players in a music concert and another of a wedding procession complete with a car.

Competing with trendy cloth figurines were the traditional `marapachi' images and the familiar `chettiar' dolls.

The organisers said that artisans from places such as Kumbakonam, Veeraperumanallur and Dindivanam participated.

The Khadi Kraft has fixed a sales target of Rs.65 lakh this year. The exposition is on till October 6 (10 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

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