shuvarthychowdhury
NATUNGRAM -- WOODEN DOLL VILLAGE
WOODEN DOLLS OF NATUNGRAM
Homemade ethnic character dolls are the main characteristic feature of NATUNGRAM village of BARDWAN district, West Bengal. The nearest Railway stations from the village are Agradeep and Katwa (1.4-1.5 km).
The dolls are carved in wood and decoratively painted by a group of rural craft persons, known as "SUTRADHARS" ( meaning 'narrator' or 'story teller'), because they make characters from ancient folklores and mythology and tell stories through their dolls.
The owl, with its unique design and colours, is the brand product of the village. On the white background of the owl is painted with the distinctive colours of red, green, yellow and black colours lines. Beside the Owl Krishna-Radha, King- Queen, Durga dolls are made in traditional way.
The dolls are craved from one single piece of wood. A big piece of cylindrical woood is cut off in every direction according to the size, shape and figure requirement. Then to give it a final shape the structure is chiseled out. The traditional design based on culture and mythology, the richness of ideas, the brilliant combination of pure and simplicity and glamour combined with the master craftmanship of the craft artists, resulting an amazing art work. Now a days some of the wodden dolls are barnished to give them a great finishing touch for making them useful in interior decoration.
Around 60 families living in the Natungram village are involved in the Doll making. In this family craft business both men and women have key role. The doll makers are organized as a collective, 'Natungram Kastho Khodai Hastashilpa Samity'.
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© Shuvarthy Chowdhury Photography
Natungram Village, Burdwan - 2015
NATUNGRAM -- WOODEN DOLL VILLAGE
WOODEN DOLLS OF NATUNGRAM
Homemade ethnic character dolls are the main characteristic feature of NATUNGRAM village of BARDWAN district, West Bengal. The nearest Railway stations from the village are Agradeep and Katwa (1.4-1.5 km).
The dolls are carved in wood and decoratively painted by a group of rural craft persons, known as "SUTRADHARS" ( meaning 'narrator' or 'story teller'), because they make characters from ancient folklores and mythology and tell stories through their dolls.
The owl, with its unique design and colours, is the brand product of the village. On the white background of the owl is painted with the distinctive colours of red, green, yellow and black colours lines. Beside the Owl Krishna-Radha, King- Queen, Durga dolls are made in traditional way.
The dolls are craved from one single piece of wood. A big piece of cylindrical woood is cut off in every direction according to the size, shape and figure requirement. Then to give it a final shape the structure is chiseled out. The traditional design based on culture and mythology, the richness of ideas, the brilliant combination of pure and simplicity and glamour combined with the master craftmanship of the craft artists, resulting an amazing art work. Now a days some of the wodden dolls are barnished to give them a great finishing touch for making them useful in interior decoration.
Around 60 families living in the Natungram village are involved in the Doll making. In this family craft business both men and women have key role. The doll makers are organized as a collective, 'Natungram Kastho Khodai Hastashilpa Samity'.
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© Shuvarthy Chowdhury Photography
Natungram Village, Burdwan - 2015