1. Introduction:
The district of Thanjavur in the state of Tamil Nadu has huge cultural significance. They are famous for their ‘paintings’, ‘veenas’, ‘temples’, etc. Along with these, the district is also famous for a doll- A doll which is loved by the people of all ages. These are ‘special dolls’. When I mention it’s special, it means that the dolls shake their heads and they create slow oscillation like movement without falling. These are called as “Thanjavur Thalaiyatti Bommai”. This is created based on a simple physics background. The center of gravity and total weight of the doll is concentrated at the bottom most point, making them stable at all times. It is of huge wonder that the physics of gravity has been known to people in the early 17th century,which marked the beginning of these dolls.
2. History:
The name of the doll is formed using 3 Tamil words: Thalai(Head), Aati(Shaking), Bommai(Doll). These dolls have their origin in the 17th century. King Serfoji II, the Maratha King was the one reigning in Thanjavur when these dolls came into existence. These dolls were first created for the decorative purposes in the royal courts. Eventually, these dolls gained popularity among the common people. Then, people started buying these dolls and started decorating their houses with them. These dolls have travelled from generation to generation and still remain attractive to all people.
Apart from decorations, these dolls are also used in the festival of ‘Navaratri Golu’. It is a festival of Hindus where the people keep the dolls throughout the steps and will worship them for 9 days. ‘Thanjavur dolls’ are also placed in these divine steps. It is believed that the Golu brings happiness, prosperity and good luck.
3. Preparation:
These dolls are not made by any machines. The making of a doll is a task which requires skilled artisans who use their bare hands. It involves the talents of ‘precision’ and ‘skill’ from a person. These dolls were considered as a symbol of prosperity and wealth by the people who created them.
3.1. Material:
It is a bobblehead toy which is usually made of terracotta material. The process of making these toys start with people choosing the material to make it. A special flour named ‘Bommai maavu’ or powdered paper, starch powder from roots and mud for weight are the basic materials used for this process. The flour mixed with water to make it have a similar structure to that of the clay or dough. Copper Sulphate is used as a fungicide. A mixture of ‘Vandal Man’ is also used in place of ‘Bommai Maavu’.
3.2. Process:
The desired structures will have been made in it’s outline using the paper. Then the clay or dough which has been prepared, is pasted on (above) the paper. The clay-like material is left to dry. This finishes the work on the upper part of the doll. Once it dries, terracotta bowl is stuck at the end of the doll. Now this whole structure is left to dry. Then these dolls are painted with various colors, and are inscribed with many designs which makes them look beautiful. These dolls are made in the pairs of king-queen or as a single-girl dancing. These dolls don’t have a specific face design. They are just made from artists’ imagination.
4. Speciality:
It is just a wonder that people understood gravity early in the days. Only by this method, these dolls are made. The round bottomed toys come in the forms of sitting, standing or even rotating positions. There is also a legend or myth which defines that these dolls signify the ups and downs of life.
Another important speciality is the self-righting mechanism of the doll, which allows it to return to its stable position even after being disturbed. This demonstrates an early understanding of stability, equilibrium, and center of mass. The oscillatory motion is smooth and continuous, which makes the doll visually calming and attractive.
Each doll is handcrafted, making every piece unique. The dolls also represent a perfect blend of traditional art and basic physics, making them not just toys but also as educational models.
5. Current scenario:
The fame of these dolls has spread all over the globe. The foreigners who come to Thanjavur rarely leave without buying these dolls. People from any state or country who visits the district of Thanjavur always buy the dolls for their houses, or they buy these dolls and present them as gifts for their families and friends.
Geographical Indication (GI Tag) has been awarded to the doll during the years of 2008-2009, recognizing it’s speciality by the Indian government. Government supports the artisans by giving them loans. The Govt also encourages women self-help groups to involve in the making of these dolls. The dolls are also being custom-made according to pre-orders and requests from customers.
6. Conclusion:
In the days where all the toys are made from plastics, these dolls stand supportive to the nature and science. It interconnects the concepts of sustainability, fun and physics. Usage of such toys must be promoted more in the future. Apart from being just a decorative doll, they are a symbol of long lasting craftmanship, tradition, and of skills, physics, and precision. Let’s make sure that this craft doesn’t see it’s end too soon.
References:
- https://indiacurrents.com/my-native-treasures-thanjavur-dancing-dolls/
- https://www.dsource.in/resource/toys-tanjore/materials-and-process
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanjavur_doll
- https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/thanjavur-doll/
- https://tncrafts.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-bobblehead-bommais-of-thanjavur.html