Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

`Kolu' dolls give SIPA showroom a festive look

Staff Reporter

The exhibition is on till October 1

PRETTY LINE-UP: C.K. Gariali takes a look at the kolu dolls on display at the SIPA showroom in Chennai on Thursday. — Photo: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI: With lined-up papier mache dolls and idols, the Craftlink showroom sports the festive look of a `navarathri kolu' these days.

Besides the customary handicraft articles, SIPA's showroom on Kodambakkam High Road features 140 varieties of `kolu' dolls this season.

Inaugurated last week by C.K. Gariyali, secretary to the Governor, the exhibition has dolls made of clay, wood and ceramic.

A park set priced at Rs.650, which brings alive the leisureness of people, will attract visitors. Photo frames made of papier mache, which cost Rs.16, were one of the fast moving items.

The exhibition also has 108 varieties of unbreakable Ganesh idols on display. Idols of Suryaratham, Muthalamman, and Dhakshinamurthy were some of the new additions this year. Miniature Ganesha idols made of clay and painted in bright hues are also sure to draw a crowd.

Several epic incidents such as `Ramar Pattabhishekam', `Krishna leela' and `Agaligai Motcham' will garner attention. Among the shivaniwood articles, the Ashoka Pillar in different sizes and a wooden Krishna idol worth Rs.28,000 require special mention.

Wooden keychains in geometrical shapes and plantain fibre key chains intricately designed to resemble a girl are apt gifts for handicraft buffs. Children will enjoy the array of chennapatna and kondapalli toys that fill the racks in the showroom.

Rosewood furniture, and terracota, glass and ceramic items are also on display at the expo. About 2,000 artisans from across the State were involved in making dolls for the festival.

K. Appukutanachari, business manager of the showroom, said that the artisans expected a sale of Rs.8 lakh this year. The exhibition, which is open between 9.30 a.m. and 8 p.m., is on till October 1.

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