MP Lakshmi Panduranga is a sprightly 69 year-year-old lady. Decked in all her finery, she ushers in the members of her singing group to her Basvangudi home. Very soon, she and her friends from the neighbourhood are singing bhajans dedicated to the goddess. It is Navratri time, an occasion to celebrate, chant, pray and meditate.
The goddesses the group is praying to are all handcrafted in cotton. Lakshmi with the help of her family members - sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, created 25 dolls within the last two months. Keeping golus during Navratri is an age-old tradition which Lakshmi has been following for the last 25 years. Every year, she picks a different theme - currency notes, anklets. This year, it is “Gejje vasthra”. Lakshmi depicts the story of Himagiri thanaye, daughter of the mountain. She is flanked by Jaya Vijaya, women dwarpalikas, followed by Kashi Vishalakshi and Madurai Vishalakshi. Right in front are the heads of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati. “From the Devi’s sari to her blouse, garlands, crown, thoranam, flowers, bells, everything is hand-made by me in cotton. Right from these minute decorations to the main dolls. I have used up about six kgs of cotton. The idea is to do something challenging and different,” says Lakshmi beaming with pride.
The creativity on display is indeed to be proud of. The scale, details and diversity on exhibit is evident of the effort and thought that has gone into it. Besides Himagri Thanaye, in her puja room, she has also displayed Krishna and his wife Rukmini’s darbar. And that’s not all. Aarti thatte, musical instruments with pearls, beads, thermocol, Tanjore paintings, marble paintings are also part of the exhibit. While one doll is shown carrying a puja plate the other one is carrying a pot on her head. “Every year, different dolls take on different characters. This one was Shiva last year,” she smiles.
The preparations start from the month of August with visits to local market to buy different kinds of embellishments. “I love creating things with my hand. It gives me immense happiness and satisfaction. Also, I feel the need to carry on with our customs and culture to showcase it to the younger generation. My home will be filled with positive energy with these symbols of energy and creativity and by singing chants such as the Devi strothas, Lalitha Sahasranamam, Soundarya leheri etc.,” remarks Lakshmi.