A collection of articles about doll-makers in Cuddalore

Cuddalore’s doll-makers toil throughout the year - The Hindu

Special Correspondent

— Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy

BUSY TRADE: With Navaratri fast approaching dolls are being made on a large scale in Cuddalore.

CUDDALORE: Doll-making is not only an economic proposition but also a passion for 20-odd families in Vandipalayam area of Cuddalore town. For generations, they have been mastering the craft that has been recognised in other States such as Maharashtra.

In the midst of festive season, the doll-makers are working almost 18 hours a day to meet the orders. A. Sampath Kumar (45), who has been in the trade for over two-and-half decades, told The Hindu that though the demand was seasonal, they had to work throughout the year.

For instance, bulk buyers such as the Khadi Bhavan, Khadi Kraft, Kuralagam and Sarvodaya Sangam would place orders in March/April. Once the orders are obtained, the procurement of raw materials would begin.

Mr. Kumar said the dolls were made of clay, papier-mâché, plaster of paris and cement.

Care ought to be taken to choose the kind of clay that would firmly hold in place and would not crack while being roasted in the kiln.

While plaster of paris was being obtained from Puducherry and Chennai, glue was bought from Andhra Pradesh. Casting the die was a challenging task because it involved creativity and closer attention to detail, such as ornaments, weapons and so on, Mr. Kumar said.

Die-making would take about four months and the drying process another one month. Painting of the idols would then begin. Mr. Kumar said clay idols were fast moving, particularly during Navaratri, Krishna Jayanthi and Vinayaka Chaturthi

Mr. Kumar said the market reacted to the price tag differently – priced from Rs. 25 to Rs. 5,000 apiece.

He was apprehensive that the trade may not last for more than a generation, because youngsters were not interested in the trade and wanted to pursue higher education to take up salaried jobs. As the doll-makers had to stock the finished products for months, they appealed to the government to grant them bank loans at concessional rate of interest, to be repaid at the end of the festive season.

The blog links below contains photographs showing the dolls at their destiny.

Come home and see my Golu - Lakshmi Sharath's blog

Cashing in on Brand Kolu - The Hindu

Splendour in clay - The Hindu

NAVARATHRI - A Season for dolls - Raji's blog