600 dolls that recreate scenes from Ramayana,Mahabharata

Three days before Navratri,Uma Natrajan takes out her most cherished treasure,a huge box of dolls.

Three days before Navratri,Uma Natrajan takes out her most cherished treasure,a huge box of dolls. The box contains over 600 dolls collected from cities,towns and villages across the world over a span of 20 years.

Natrajan says collecting dolls is not only her passion,but also a part of her tradition.

In Tamil Nadu,we celebrate Navratri by decorating golu in our homes. For people who dont have means to display elaborate decorations at home,display golu on steps of mandirs. The main idol of Durga is placed on the top surrounded by all deities of Hindu mythology. The golu is believed to be the darbar of the devi, says Natrajan.

Apart from displaying golu,Natarjan exhibits her dolls in a creative manner throughout the hall room of her residence at Kayani Nagar. She recreates several scenes from the Ramayana,including the scene where Hanuman is not offered a seat in Ravanas court,Hanuman bringing the Dronagiri Mountain to Ram,constructing the bridge to Lanka with the help of her dolls. She also recreates scenes from the Mahabharata including Ved Vyas reciting a verse while Ganesha documents it sitting under a tree and Krishna stealing the clothes of gopis.

Natrajan has also scene of Christmas with Joseph,Mary,baby Jesus in a crib and the Wisemen,a music festival on the beach at Mahabalipuram,the Dubai festival,a school scene,a village scene and a wildlife sanctuary scene.

My aim is to attract children to see this. Anyone who is interested can see my collection, says Natrajan.

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