For 70-year-old Lalitha Prasad, Dasara is not just a festival to display dolls, but an occasion to make dolls herself. Over the past 15 years, she has handcrafted more than 1,500 dolls on over 20 different themes, ranging from Yoga and Surya Namaskara to depictions of women critics, marriage ceremonies, mythology, and history.Photo:
Despite health and age-related challenges, including recurring back and shoulder pain, Lalitha Prasad continues to nurture her craft. Photo:
Handmade 'Golu' dolls at Lalitha Prasad’s house in Bengaluru. Photo:
Lalitha Prasad’s cotton-stuffed dolls have hand-stitched costumes and jewellery, including minute details like earrings and bindi.Photo:
Handmade ‘Golu’ dolls of Rama, Sita and Laxmana, at Lalitha Prasad’s house in Bengaluru. Photo:
