Date:19/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/19/stories/2008091951960300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Salem

‘Kolu’ exhibition begins

Staff Reporter

SALEM: An exhibition of ‘Kolu’ toys for the Navaratri festival has begun at the Poompuhar showroom of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation here on Thursday.

The corporation has displayed different sets of ‘Kolu’ dolls made of clay, paper, China clay and brass at the exhibition.

The toys were fetched from craftspersons of various districts in the State. Other than the regular pieces, the showroom has entire kolu sets, deities, fruits, flowers and scenes from daily life.

Attraction

The dolls made of marble dust are the major attraction this year. These dolls are priced between Rs. 375 and Rs. 3,000.

The exhibition has over 5 lakhs dolls . Besides toys, people can also buy exquisitely crafted wood works, Thanjavur paintings, art plates, shields, brass lamps and a variety of gift articles at the exhibition.

According to the manager of the showroom, S.R. Ganesan, a sales target of Rs. 1.5 lakhs has been fixed for the current season. A special discount of 10 per cent would be offered on the sale price of all the The showroom has sold dolls worth Rs. 50,000 during the last year, he added.

The exhibition, inaugurated by District Social Welfare Officer Baby Geethanjali, will be open till October 6.