Beautifully colored and available under many themes, these dolls demonstrate traditional costumes of different ethnic groups. Chiranjibi Shrestha, manager of Cultural Handicrafts Dolls at Ason, Kamalachhi, said the art of making cultural dolls has helped preserve the culture and tradition of different ethnic groups.[break]
"We make different types of dolls highlighting various cultural groups in their traditional looks like carrying sickle or plough, doing routine work like beating rice," said Shrestha, who has been making these dolls for last 14 years.
Rakesh Shrestha, who sells these dolls, said as the dolls represent costumes, lifestyles and religion of different ethnic groups, tourists are extremely attracted by these art pieces. They end up buying them as souvenirs. "As the number of tourists has increased by almost 20 percent last year, the demand of these dolls has almost doubled," informed Shrestha.
He further added that even locals buy these dolls as gifts for different social occasions such as birthday and marriages.
These dolls are made with cotton, cloth, wood, plastic, foam and thread, among other materials, and are decorated with metal for jewelry. They are priced between Rs 50 for a small key ring and Rs 100,000 for custom-made set of dolls, displaying for example, demonstrating festivals. Single piece dolls cost Rs 250 to Rs 300 while couples cost Rs 500 to Rs 600.
These dolls are exported to countries like Japan, Australia and Unites States. According to Rakesh, most Japanese tourists buy these dolls and demand for these dolls in Japan is remarkably high.
The store also provides training to villagers in doll making and Chiranjibi himself has provided training at Nawalparasi, Tanahun, Damauli, Biratnagar and Hetauda among other places.
"Price of these dolls have remained constant for the past 3 years but now as price of all raw materials has increased, we are planning to increase the price by Rs 50 per piece," informed Chiranjibi.
The store has lately introduced new types of family soft dolls, mainly targeting Montessori schools and children of playgroups. These are available for Rs 2,000 to 2,500 for a set. "As plastics are harmful and they have to be imported, we have introduced our dolls in schools mainly for small children," said Rakesh.
Related story
Journey with Dolls
