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The doll arrangement is more than decoration, it narrates cosmic order. The stepped tiers, usually odd-numbered (from 3 to 11), symbolize the ascent from the earthly to the divine.
These dolls are often painted in vivid natural hues, with every region adding its own touch (Image: X)
South India’s Navratri is a spectacle of devotion and design, a festival where homes transform into miniature museums of myth and memory. Known variously as Gollu in Tamil Nadu, Gombe Habba in Karnataka, Bomma Gullu in parts of Kerala, and Bommala Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, this centuries-old practice turns the nine nights of the goddess into an exuberant celebration of art, heritage, and storytelling.
The tradition finds its heart in the worship of Shakti, the feminine divine. Navratri, literally “nine nights” honors the goddess in her forms of Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Historians trace the doll-display ritual back to the Vijayanagara Empire (14th–16th centuries).
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This is when kings encouraged households to depict divine tales through clay figurines. Over time, these displays became an intimate domestic counterpart to the grand temple festivities, allowing every home to become a stage for devotion and creativity.
The Story Behind the Dolls
The doll arrangement is more than decoration, it narrates cosmic order. The stepped tiers, usually odd-numbered (from 3 to 11), symbolize the ascent from the earthly to the divine. At the top rests the Kalasha, a brass pot signifying prosperity and the goddess herself.
Below, rows of dolls portray scenes from epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, village life, classical dance, even contemporary events. In some homes, families add a new doll each year, representing continuity and growth—an heirloom tradition passed down like a family archive.
An Explosion of Craft and Color
Gollu or Gombe is an art lover’s dream. Craftsmen from Tamil Nadu’s Panruti, Kanchipuram, and Vilachery, as well as Karnataka’s Channapatna and Kondapalli in Andhra Pradesh, work for months shaping clay, papier-mâché, or wood into vibrant figurines.
These dolls are often painted in vivid natural hues, with every region adding its own touch: the lacquered finish of Channapatna toys, the delicate features of Thanjavur dolls, the rustic charm of Kondapalli bommalu. The festival thus sustains an entire ecosystem of artisans who rely on Navratri orders for their livelihoods.
Social and Cultural Significance
Beyond devotion, the display fosters community and creativity. Women traditionally visit each other’s homes to view the Gollu, exchange turmeric, kumkum, and sweets, and sing bhajans.
Children eagerly help design themes, ranging from mythological tableaux to cricket matches – turning the festival into a family project that bridges generations. In urban apartments, where space is scarce, people craft ingenious collapsible steps or digital showcases, proving the tradition’s adaptability.
Symbolism of Feminine Power
At its core, the Gollu is an ode to feminine energy. Each doll represents the vibrancy of life and the triumph of good over evil.
The meticulous arrangement, renewed each year, is a meditation on order, abundance, and the nurturing power of women, values central to the Shakti cult that inspired the practice.
Today, South Indian families across the world, from Singapore to San Francisco – recreate these doll displays, carrying their heritage into diaspora communities. Social media has only amplified the craze.
Instagram is awash with creative themes, DIY tutorials, and virtual Gollu tours. Some homes now feature eco-friendly clay dolls or 3D-printed figurines, blending innovation with tradition while keeping the spiritual essence intact.
The Navratri doll festival is more than a seasonal celebration; it is a living art form, a lesson in storytelling, and a reminder of the enduring power of collective memory. Each year, as dolls are carefully unwrapped, dusted, and placed on their steps, families reaffirm their bond to the goddess and to an artistic legacy that has survived centuries, proof that devotion, like art, thrives when it is shared and reimagined.
September 24, 2025, 21:24 IST
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Author: News18
