Giving old Golu dolls a new coat of paint

S. Paramasivan, an artisan, at work restoring idols in Chennai. | Photo Credit: Johan Sathyadas J As much as buyers await the Navaratri season, artisans and vendors also spend the year waiting for their dolls to finally find a home. While many Golu enthusiasts are browsing new dolls from these vendors in Mylapore, some artisans are busy restoring the idols of deities even if they are decades old, in the bylanes of the neighbourhood.S. Paramasivan, who runs Jayamaruthi Manual, has been restoring idols for the past 22 years. His paintbrush is dipped in deep red as he works on a tall idol, while his son-in-law Murugesan P. is busy restoring another doll beside him.“While people are flocking to buy new dolls, we have been seeing many come to us to restore their old ones, which hold so much sentiment to them. I still remember how a mother-daughter duo came crying to us with one of their broken dolls. It holds a special bond for people which is why we are focused on restoration,” says Mr. Paramasivan. He says he has restored idols that are decades-old to their former glory. “During Navaratri, we do it quickly, within two days; but we still put our hearts into the job,” he adds.As the sun dips, the work gets busier for these restorers. Praveen Babu, an antique collector from Andhra Pradesh was getting his clay Andal idol, that was made about 40 years ago, restored. “I am not focused on buying the newer papier-mache dolls. Look at the detailing of the old dolls made in hand, it is absolutely stunning! You don’t get the same detail in the market now,” he says.On North mada street, Bhuvaneshwari G., is dealing with the Navaratri rush. Her cart is swamped with customers asking for specific idols of Hindu deities. “We have been getting dolls from Kancheepuram, but even there, they have increased the price by 300 rupees for every doll. Then how would we be able to make a profit from the sales,” she asks.For some Golu enthusiasts, however, the answer to the changing prices is to look back at what they already have. A senior-citizen couple from Anna Nagar, S. Lakshmi and Venkataramanan N., say they have seen people opt for both new dolls and the restoration of old ones, particularly when there is a sentimental connection. Published - October 10, 2026 05:30 am IST