Villupuram artisans struggle with clay shortage amid surge in Navaratri Golu doll orders

Artisans in Karadipakkam village near Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, are busy crafting nearly 20 varieties of Golu dolls—including depictions of deities like Durga, Saraswati, Perumal, and Anjaneyar—in preparation for Navaratri. Made from clay and papier-mâché, these dolls range from half a foot to three feet in height, priced between ₹50 and ₹1,000. Despite growing demand and increasing orders from across South India over recent years, local craftsmen face severe production bottlenecks. Strict soil collection restrictions and complex multi-authority permission processes have created a critical shortage of suitable clay, threatening delivery timelines. The artisans are appealing for urgent government intervention to streamline raw material access, ensuring they can fulfill orders on time and safeguard the traditional craft that sustains their livelihoods. (PTI)