On a kolu trail

Though the Navarathri kolu is mostly about the display of idols and dolls representing major deities, DC scouts for some interesting theme-based collections from different parts of the city. From paying tributes to MS Subbulakshmi, Saint Teresa and Superstar Rajinikanth, to making people aware of deforestation, the city has oozed imagination this festive season.

If the Minion city and Kappalottiya Tamizhan dolls gain brownie points for sheer creativity, it’s the Chettiar shop selling groceries that amused us most of all! Here are some favourites...

Harigopal

Known as ‘Golu Gopal’ in the neighbourhood, Harigopal is excited about the Kolu festival he has organised at his home in Mogappair. He, along with his family, has been keeping kolu for over 30 years. One can find dolls as old as 50 years on these kolu steps! Harigopal has been following different themes each year, along with the traditional kolu. And this year is no different. There are three main themes for the festival — spiritual, scientific and entertainment. The AV display of Bhaktha Prahalad is one of the highlights. Equipped with research, time and effort, Harigopal retold the story of Prahalad, much to his guests’ joy.

Through the beautiful display of village life, Harigopal transports us to a bygone era. One can even witness the daily chores that happened in traditional villages in those years gone by. Another display of the Chettiar shop with provisions like coconuts, reminded us of the pottikadais.  

For the entertainment theme, the family displayed our very own Thalaivar Rajini. “This is a tribute to the Superstar. As a token of our appreciation for Rajini’s style, we have presented dolls from his films like Thambikku Entha Ooru,

Chandramukhi, Padayappa, and a few more,” says the businessman, adding, “We are doing it as a social commitment and that’s why we decided to extend our kolu festival for seven more days.”

 Nandhini Venkatesh

A  Nolambur resident, Nandhini has been keeping kolu at her residence ‘Nirvignalakshmi Illam’ for almost six years. “For this year’s kolu, I have picked nine themes — tradition, the environment, divinity, history, world peace, entertainment, goal, service and patriotism.”

She has displayed the traditional kolu steps with the God and Goddess alankaram, including several new idols. To educate children on environmental imbalance and to spread awareness on deforestation, she has conceptualised an imaginary impression that if tree-cutting would continue in the future, all the wild animals would migrate to the city, making life unimaginable.  

For the world peace theme, she has displayed a few statues of the Buddha against a forest backdrop.   The Minion city was especially for the children visiting the kolu display.

The six-feet tall Saint Teresa doll is yet another highlight. “We have made a sand sculpture of Mother Teresa,” she explains. To extend feelings of patriotism, she has displayed a portrait of Kappalottiya Tamizhan, complete with a five-feet-high ship.

Nisha Murali

Everything from Disney characters to dinos and more find pride of place in this dentist’s collection. “We also have a traditional kolu that the rest of the family set up — but my sister and I wanted to make use of all the different comic and iconic pop-culture dolls we had... next time, it’s going to be a Lego Harry Potter-themed affair!” beams Nisha.

Shravan RP

True to his identity, the singer has dedicated this year’s kolu to none other than MS Subbulakshmi. “I always have music -themed kolu displays, but couldn’t come up with an interesting concept this year. Since we celebrated the singer’s birth centenary  recently, I thought of paying a tribute to the singer this Navarathri,” reveals this hard-core fan of Subbulakshmi.

Shravan has picked a doll each to represent every famous song by her. For example, we could find dolls representing Vishnu Sahasranamam, Hanuman Chalisa, Venkatesa Suprabatham and so on. Shravan has also displayed an embossed printout of MS, making it seem as though the singer herself is lighting the lamp.