MARAPACHI BOMMAI






Bommai or dolls, are part of every child’s life, but ever wondered what dolls looked like before mass production or ones made with materials like plastic, cloth or metals became common? Wood was probably one of the earliest material used to craft toys and dolls and one such unique type of dolls is called the Marapachi Bommai(wooden dolls). They were traditionally handcrafted in either rosewood or redwood. These days they are made from other hard woods as well.

 

These dolls are a legacy in South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They are carved in pairs, typically to denote a bride and groom. They are usually given to a newly married couple as part of the wedding trousseau by the bride’s mother. They are handed down generations and become part of the Navarathri Golu that the new bride starts in her new home, where she goes on to expand her collection of other dolls to display.

 

The beauty of these dolls lies in the fact that they can be dressed up in many ways, like a King and a Queen, God and Goddess, Bride and Groom and so on.

 

Please feel free to share any interesting stories that you may have with us in the comments below.

 

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