Navratri 2026: Are your vintage kolu dolls becoming collector’s items?
Vintage kolu dolls, traditionally used in Navratri displays, are increasingly being recognized as valuable collector's items. Experts note that the market value for well-preserved, antique wooden dolls has risen significantly due to their craftsmanship and rarity.
Why it matters
This reflects a growing cultural trend of valuing traditional craftsmanship and heritage preservation in the modern art market.
For families that possess vintage kolu dolls, heirlooms are a matter of pride.
“We have dolls that are more than 100 years old, handmade from wood,” says 70-year-old TK Balakrishnan who, along with his wife, Usha, creates an annual display. “Known as Mysore bommai or Gowri bommai, these dolls were collected by my grandmother, Sundari Thirumurti, who was an art connoisseur,” says Balakrishnan.
The wooden Gowri bommai in their collection stands out not only for their age but also for their ingenious construction. Usha explains that the dolls can be dismantled, with the torso, head, hands, palms, thighs and legs separated, and reassembled. This allows them to be dressed as different gods.
When assessing vintage kolu dolls, the quality of the paint, workmanship, detailing, and size are examined. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
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