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Poush Mela.....Katwa Dolls

Poush Mela 2011, Santiniketan

Images of Bengal, India

 

Natungram Wood Carvings / Katwa Dolls

 

Ethnic character dolls handmade from Natungram village, Agradeep (Bardhamaan District, West Bengal); carved in wood and decoratively painted by a group of rural artists. These artisans are referred to as 'Sutradhars' (meaning 'narrator' or 'story teller'), probably because they make characters from ancient folklore and mythology and tell stories through their dolls. People bring these dolls home as an auspicious element, like Lord Krishna with Radha.

 

Poush Mela / পৌষ মেলা

An annual fair and festival that takes place in Santiniketan, in Birbhum District in the Indian state of West Bengal, marking the harvest season. Commencing on the 7th day of the month of Poush (around 21/22 December), the fair officially lasts for three days, although vendors may stay up until the month-end. The key characteristic of this fair include live performances of Bengali folk music, notably baul and fakir songs.

 

© 2012 Pallab Seth

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Uploaded on December 23, 2012
Taken on December 25, 2011