Giving old Golu dolls a new coat of paint
Artisans in Chennai are seeing a surge in demand for the restoration of vintage Golu dolls as families prioritize sentimental value over purchasing new, more expensive items. The trend highlights a shift toward preserving cultural heritage amidst rising costs for new festival decorations.
Why it matters
This reflects broader economic pressures on traditional crafts and a cultural shift toward sustainability and preservation of family traditions.
As much as buyers await the Navaratri season, artisans and vendors also spend the year waiting for their dolls to finally find a home. While many Golu enthusiasts are browsing new dolls from these vendors in Mylapore, some artisans are busy restoring the idols of deities even if they are decades old, in the bylanes of the neighbourhood.
S. Paramasivan, who runs Jayamaruthi Manual, has been restoring idols for the past 22 years. His paintbrush is dipped in deep red as he works on a tall idol, while his son-in-law Murugesan P. is busy restoring another doll beside him.
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