New-age kolu gets an unbreakable touch

For Krishna, a seasonal salesman from Vijayawada, the run-up to the Navaratri celebrations holds a special significance. It is during this time that he sets out to sell his stock in trade of kolu dolls, in various districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

This year, inspired by the bounty reaped by fellow salesmen who brought their wares to Chennai, Krishna has brought in dolls worth Rs 1 lakh, which he intends to sell out by the end of the Navaratri celebrations.

Speaking about what makes his dolls special, Krishna said, “They are sturdier than those made of clay, papier mache and PoP, which tend to break upon heavy impact or if they are dropped. 

These dolls -- that are made in rural households in AP used in religious and seasonal festivities for generations are created using a special mixture of rubber and PoP, which keeps them resistant to drops or slips. Also, it makes more sense to buy these dolls as you can reuse them as they tend to retain their colours for a long time unlike their clay counterparts.” He also said that people have slowly begun to favour such kolus.

“Since clay dolls are not that durable, their popularity is diminishing. Sale for my kolu looks hopeful and I look forward to make a neat profit,” said Krishna.