Cow figureheads on the Grameen Angadi
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association
It might be laborious to overlook the arrival of the Basavanna doll or figurine of the sacred cow that graces the Grameena Angadi at Jayanagar fourth T Block East, this festive season. Modelled on Hallikar, Karnataka’s native breed, the artisans’ use of robust, earthy colors on wooden lend a country, but festive vibe to the piece.
This desi breed of cow derives their identify from Karnataka’s Hallikar neighborhood, historically recognized for cattle rearing.
These figures, particularly crafted for Dasara, sport meticulous detailing of their hand-painted designs utilizing natural colors. The contrasting hues used for the face and horns, mild eyes and massive ears play up its conventional enchantment. “We repeatedly supply Channapatna dolls,” says B Gangadhara Murthy, Artisans Incharge, Grameena Angadi. “This yr, we thought ox and cow fashions would showcase Karnataka’s cattle breeds. The craftsmen who make these picket collectible figurines for us — Syed Elias and Ramegowda — agreed to trend picket cows from rubber wooden.”
Cow figureheads on the Grameen Angadi
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association
Cows play an vital half in competition pujas, says Gangadhara, including that he and the Grameena Angadi thought this was the proper time to launch this design.
Nevertheless, it isn’t a full cow that Gangadhara visualised for the festive show. Solely the face, ears and horns make up this wall-mounted piece. “A number of NRIs request reward gadgets with earthy, pastoral hues that mirror our agrarian tradition. We designed it in such a approach it that the face, horns and ears might be dismantled and packed individually to make it straightforward for travellers.”
Through the years, the gradual decline of locally-made dolls in Karnataka in addition to their improve in costs, has seen sellers supply dolls from different States. “North Karnataka’s Kinnala Gombe of Koppal district, the heritage picket, painted doll-making that had the Vijayanagara Kings as patrons, as soon as as fashionable as Channapatna dolls, has misplaced its identification right this moment,” says Gangadhara.
Cow figureheads on the Grameen Angadi
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association
Whereas Channapatna doll makers managed to remain afloat with export orders, Kinnala chitragaras (artists) hardly received assist from the federal government and different establishments, he provides.
The demand for Channapatna dolls is palpable. There are a whole lot of artwork revivalists working in Channapatna to assist artistes carry again their impeccable end and lacquering methods. “The demand is big and the prices are prohibitively excessive. In a commerce the place practically 5 lakh persons are employed handy craft the dolls utilizing genuine lacquer, what trickles all the way down to the native market is of course going to be extremely priced,” says Gangadhara.
Out there in three sizes, these cow figureheads are priced from ₹1500 upwards.
Revealed – October 09, 2024 08:11 pm IST
