PM’s desi push boosts hopes of Thanjai dancing doll makers

A few artisans still involved in the profession urged the government to encourage them with financial assistance that would revive the pride of Thanjavur.

Prime Minister Modi in his Mann Ki Baat programme suggested the need for the revival of traditional arts like Thanjavur dolls and urged the people to manufacture desi toys. This suggestion sent a positive wave among the artisans in Thanjavur, who have been in a mood to revive the profession anticipating good orders and decent revenue.

Years ago, there were more than 500 families involved in the profession in combined Thanjavur district, but at present, hardly 20 families were involved in it. “Since it need much skill and patience for making these toys and at the same time, it earned only a little profit,” said S Boopathy (53), a third generation doll maker from Mariammankoil village in Thanajvur.

Boopathy recalled that it was once a profitable and prestigious work, but it had lost its charm among the artisans as most of the people opted for cheaper China made toys. And so the younger generation, particularly the men had not learnt the art, he said.

The Boopathy family used to make around 400 toys per month. During the peak tourist season this may go up to 500-600 toys per month. Each doll costs between Rs 40 and 50 and the profit margin is just Rs 5 to 10. “For this we have to carefully mix the clay and dry them on a particular period and paint them with organic dyes” said Boopathy.

The artisans, who thanked the Prime Minister for commenting on the Thanjavur dolls in his address, said that they had lost their livelihood for the past five months during the lockdown. “Our business mainly depends on tourist flow, we stopped production and making both ends meet has become tough these days,” he added.

Boopathy, urged the government to provide loans with minimum interest or with a subsidy to revive the doll-making art. “The government should provide us a rain relief fund at least for two months on par with the mud pot makers and provide doll-making training in the schools which would save the traditional art form of Thanjavur,” he stressed.