Giving kolu dolls a makeover

 

“I don’t buy dolls from outside as the quality is not what it used to be,” said Alamelu. “The ones I have are very old and Paramasivan is an excellent artist. This time I have given him three dolls for painting.”

 

It was Alamelu’s search for the unique blue colour called ‘Ananda blue’ for an idol of Raja Rajeshwari that led her to Paramsivan. “He maintains jewels unlike in any other place. He can also retain the glowing skin. So I choose to come to him every year,” she said.

 

“He takes three to four weeks to complete one doll,” she said. This year the theme for Navaratri at her home is Pillaiyarpatti in keeping with her idea of taking one temple as a theme each year.

 

But Alamelu is not the only person drawn to Paramasivan’s skill, which he has been honing for a long time. Right from class five he was interested in drawing – model drawing and outline drawing. Before becoming a doll painter he was a calendar artist. He has also worked on political graffiti.

 

During the Navaratri season he gets busier. “During this season, demand for repainting increases. Every month I expect around Rs 20,000-25,000. But during this time the income increases by Rs 1,000-2000,” he said.

 

Daily five to six people visit his shop with their dolls. He gets nearly three dolls per day. For painting big dolls he charges Rs 2,500 and for small dolls Rs 300. For bigger ones he charges Rs 5,000.

 

Explaining the repainting process, he said paint from old dolls is removed, followed by cement primer  and after which fresh painting is done with a new design.