Chennai: When you enter a Navaratri golu this year, don’t be surprised to find chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s portrait making an appearance at a miniature ration shop, recreating his viral visit. Alongside marapachi dolls, a Dasavatharam set and figurines of Lakshmi and Saraswathi, homes are also making space for pop culture, memes and moments from everyday life.From recreating Vijay’s viral ration shop visit to making replicas of Keeladi Museum artefacts and DIY cardboard golu sets for children, handmade golu makers are giving traditional displays a contemporary twist. They say customers increasingly want dolls that connect with Tamil culture while also reflecting their humour, nostalgia and interests.At K Radha’s home, for instance, the traditional display includes miniatures recreating the ‘munaadi pinnadi enna irunthathu?’ scene from Kamal Haasan-starrer ‘Panchathanthiram’, with the actors recreated as dolls. “Even though traditionally idols of gods that depict stories like Ramayana and Dasavatharam are kept, I wanted to make it relatable to today’s world while preserving the traditional doll themes. I grew up watching these movies with my sister. I wanted to revive those fun memories through golu dolls at my home,” she said.Jothi R, founder of Sundry Charms, which makes polymer clay miniatures, said pop culture and memes are among the biggest trends this year. “People are moving beyond religious themes and want something they connect with and feel nostalgic about,” she said. She has received commissions recreating scenes from Vadivelu’s films, ‘Anniyan’ and ‘Baba’, besides favourite local eateries including Saravana Bhavan, and parotta stalls for customers living abroad.Politics, too, has found a place on the golu steps. R K Hari Hara Sudhan, co-founder of Clayspot, said Vijay’s ration shop visit prompted orders for miniature versions. “In less than a month, we’ve had more than 10 orders featuring a ration shop setup with Vijay’s photo in the background, with jute bags and milk packets in the foreground. Many people have reached out to us for his miniature figurines, and we’re in the process of making and shipping those as well,” he said.Tejo Vriksha is also creating a 15-stall govt expo setup which also includes Keeladi, featuring replicas of black-and-red ware, excavated pots and other museum artefacts. Meanwhile, creative designer Anurenuga P has designed a 12-piece DIY cardboard golu set for children, with miniature steps and idols they can assemble themselves.
