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Creative creators
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This year's attractions in the list of Vilacheri dolls are Ramanujar, the Ravana Darbar, Vasudevar carrying Lord Krishna in a basket, Govardhana Giri and the set of Alwars, writes M.R. ARAVINDAN.
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A colourful gathering.
"HEY RAM is ready", "But where is Krishna," "what happened to the eyes of Muruga?" Step into this nationally reputed "doll's village" of Vilacheri, located on the outskirts of the Temple City and regale yourself both audio-and visually.
Not only "heavenly" names form a part of the regular conversation here, you also catch a glimpse of the deities in the form of kolu dolls. Gods and goddesses taking shape, being dressed up vibrantly in the hands of invisible artists.
With the commencement of the festival season with Janamashtami (on September 6), these hands and minds at work can hardly afford to rest. Thousands of dolls are made every year and the market gets particularly busy during these festival months of Ganesa Chaturthi, Navarathri, Deepavali and Christmas.
Undoubtedly, the doll making activity is at a feverish pitch in this hamlet now. From clay to papier mache and plaster of paris, dolls are taking shape and also being instantly sold out.
The clay models generally start from a size of six inches and do not exceed a height of three feet. For the other two raw materials, the size is greatly dependent on an individual customer's requirement.
More than 60 families are engaged in this profession of doll-making. Since it is their only livelihood, almost each family member learns and knows the art well enough to earn for the dry months as well. During the peak season, their customers come from all over the State and the country. Vilacheri products are acclaimed far and wide for their quality finish, good artistic appearance and the new models that are introduced every year.
Latest attractions
This year's attractions are the doll of Ramanujar, the Ravana Darbar (the scene in which Lord Hanuman sits on his tail in the court of King Ravana), Vasudevar carrying Lord Krishna in a basket, Govardhana Giri (lord Krishna lifting the mount Govardhan with his finger) and the set of Alwars.
"To introduce a new item becomes imperative for our survival each year. We make figures of all Hindu gods, general models and and `kudil' set for Christmas too," points out T. Alagarsamy, general secretary of the Madurai District Doll Makers' Association.
A philosiphical congregation.
Despite new items on the shelf, several previous models are also made and sold in huge numbers. Perennially in demand and the all-time favourites are, of course, the models of Ganesha, Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Muruga, Goddess Shakthi and Lord Shiva to name a few.
Creating the universe's creators and protectors is not an easy task either. Based on photos either given by the specific customer or those commonly appearing in books and calendars, the first cut-out is made either in rubber or cement.
After that the original mould is prepared and clay filled in it. Once the clay figure is all dried up, it is painted in different colours. The entire process takes roughly a week. Though original mould lasts for about two years, from a single mould, 1000 pieces can be made roughly at the rate of 25 a day.
Alagarsamy gives a demonstration of how paper pieces, waste plaster and tapioca powder is mixed for papier mache products, while clay is fetched from nearby ponds to their work stations. Essentially the seven basic colours are used but to get striking combinations, these colours are inter-mixed.
The demand for papier mache dolls has apparently increased generating an additional business for the clay idol makers. It takes almost a month to complete a papier mache doll.
Majority of the orders for plaster of paris products come from Kerala and mostly showing Jesus, according to T.Ramesh Kumar of Saraswathy Toy Works.
"Of all the figures, his unit has made so far, the model of Baby Teresa is the biggest and the rarest piece measuring 6.5 feet," says Mr. Ramesh Kumar. "Liking of the people is difficult to predict," says E. Sadasivam, president of the association and owner of Jayalakshmi Toy Works.
"Though the preferred colour for Lord Ganesha is grey or white, they ask for various colours like green, blue or rose. Similarly the models too are funnily postured much to the amusement of their buyers. Sometimes they are shown operating computers or entering the cricket ground, or holding a cellphone. One can never say, what the next model will be doing," he adds.
"It is purely by experience that they are able to achieve perfection. Most of them start learning the art in their teens and acquire the skills in two years to start their own units. For this profession there is no retirement," says Mr. Sadasivam.
But, the returns is not much. Women artisans working 16 days a month get Rs. 50-60/day while men with jobs for 22 days get between Rs.70-80/day.
The attractive dolls these artisans make dazzle in their colourful hues, but sadly their lives are not filled with as many colours. Only a few manage to have a concrete roof over their heads with their earnings.
The biggest enemy of their business, during the peak of the season, is the cold weather. "Though we need sunlight for our work, the dolls can neither be directly exposed under the sun lest they develop cracks. But once completed with all precautions, the life of the clay dolls is unlimited. Private parties and the Sarvodaya Sangam are their major clients now.
But what these modern day creators need immediately is a warehouse, additional space for production unit and Government patronage. Or else we will soon find them relegated into oblivion.
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