A bilingual book titled Kalpakam’s Golu with Gowri Dolls by Kalpakam Srinivasamurti, a Gopalapuram resident, was released here on Sunday. The book gives an account of how she has been arranging thematic golus during Navarathri using wooden dolls of around 2 feet called ‘Gowri Dolls’ obtained from Mysuru.
“I got married in the middle of Navarathri in 1955, and my mother-in-law Sundari Ammal had two dolls at that time. I have 12 dolls collected over the years. We would start planning for a golu two months in advance, and I would ensure that I knew the stories properly so that I can explain verses of the respective year’s theme,” said Kalpakam mami, as she is affectionately known in her circles.
Mrs. Srinivasamurti thanked Chandra Sankar of Kalamkriya, who published the book. She also thanked industrialist R.T. Chari, who arranged for its launch at TAG Centre in Alwarpet. She recalled how senior citizens from the Vishranthi Home, founded by Savithri Vaithi, used to be brought to her home every year to see the arrangement of dolls.
