Pune homes decked up with display of Bommai Kolu

Bommai Kolu or Golu means an assembly of dolls. Mainly, Tamilians celebrate Navratri by assembling these dolls. Pune Pulse brings to you photographs of various Tamil families who celebrate and keep alive the old traditions. In the last few decades it is not just only about keeping the tradition alive but also bringing in creativity.

The Kolu is the essence of Navarathri celebrations. Earlier, preparations for the kolu would begin months in advance. The dolls, wrapped in cotton rags and neatly stacked in huge wooden trunks, are carefully taken out, dusted, mended and sometimes, given a fresh coat of paint. 

Some artistically inclined women would craft a couple of new dolls for the occasion each year

Many not only keep the traditional dolls around but also add a lot of contemporary dolls but make it a themed assembly. 

Satvik Ganesh, a resident of Wakad explained the design of the Golu. She said, “Golu consists of complete Ramayana history, South Indian marriage, Mahabharata, Krishna Leela, Asta Lakshmi, Dasavatharam, Sai village consist of 90’s Kid playing along with modern cricket.”