Dussehra Festival : Momentous time for Marketing Kolu dolls

People of many states are getting readied for the ultimate Dussehra Celebrations. The significance of Navrathri is offering devotion to Goddess Amba (Durga), who is believed to exist in many forms. These Goddesses are believed to be known as "Shakti" as the tales narrate their power over killing of demons. Goddess Parvathi, the wife of Lord Shiv is said to have taken different forms of Goddesses. Devotees perform the 'devi-sthaapna' in their homes wherein they invite the Goddess and perform 'pooja-path' for nine days with fasting. It is celebrated in different parts of India by creating dolls as Gods, Goddesses, children,men, birds, etc. Devotees in Tamil Nadu believe that Bommai Kolu or Kolu depicts the presence of God or Goddess.

Festivals are the best time to enjoy and have fun with our closed ones. Out of the many festivals celebrated in India, Navrathri is considered more sacred as it continues for 10 days and 9 nights and devotees worship Goddess Durga in as many number of Swaroopams during Navrathri.

The moment we think of Navrathri, the first image that is likely to be associated with it is the colourful dolls, also known as ‘Kolu bommais’ (in Tamil), which we exhibit in our houses during this festival. North Mada street, the cultural hub of Mylapore, near the Kapaleeshwar Mandir becomes a ‘kolu street’ during this Sep-Oct. season. Every year, numerous street hawkers line up their stalls with fond hope of selling their hand-crafted dolls for the best price possible.

This year too no exception. Once again, the street is jam-packed with stalls on one side of the road; on the other side are the permanent street hawkers selling fancy and make-up vendibles. The ‘kolu bommai’ sellers start setting up their stalls on the platforms a week before the start of the festivals. The already buzzing street has become more so as customers from all over Chennai through this locality in huge cartons to dedicatedly fulfill their annual purchases.There are also jewellery /textile showrooms, shops for framed pictures, Tanjore paintings, special Kum Kum, jute handbags, Navarathiri decorations, immeasurable number of gift items, honey based foods like gulgundh and dry fruits honey mix, etc at reasonable prices.

Even after Vijaya Dasami, many hawkers use to stay back for a week or so. When I querried them about the purpose for which they choose to stay back, pat came the reply, "For people who want to stock up for the following year’s festival, we will be staying here for a few more days after the entire celebrations which will help us too clear the stocks. Needless to mention that those who are cost-conscious don't fail to buy at a reasonably lesser price and stock up the same for next year Dussehra".

In recent years, West Mambalam locality near famous T.Nagar which is a textile and jewellery hub too has also become a purchase-spot for dolls. In Tamilnadu, during Purattasi month(Tamil) many do not prefer to conduct wedding functions - the direct effect of which is that Wedding Halls at West Mambalam use to be vacant during this period. Manufacturers of dolls therefore hire these Kalyana Mandapams for a specific period for display and sale of dolls. Villianur near Pondicherry is considered to be one of the famous manufacturing spots for dolls.

Raj Bhavan, the official residence of Governor of Tamilnadu, would celebrate the Navarathri festival by holding a Kolu from 3rd October, 2024 to 12th October 2024 and the members of the public, particularly students, have been invited to take part in the festivities. A Raj Bhavan press communique had earlier urged those interested attending the celebrations to send in their applications before 30th September, 2024, by email to [email protected].

Gujarat’s Navratri Festival, is “a circle of ecstasy” that throbs non-stop for nine nights with more panache and fervor with millions of fantastically costumed devotees swaying in a fusion of dance and devotion.

Dussehra festival holds great importance in the lives of every citizen of West Bengal. Various theme based pandals are created where amazing idols of Goddess Durga along with other deities including, Ganesh, Laxmi and Saraswati are worshiped.

Lets come together to celebrate the colors, energy, and beauty of Navrathri.