Thanjavur Doll

Thanjavur Doll

News: Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme's on All India Radio, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recounted how he received an interesting gift by a Self-Help Group from Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu.

About:
• The gift was a special Thanjavur Doll, which is scripting a new saga of women empowerment as Women's Self-Help Groups' stores and kiosks are opening up in Thanjavur.
• With the help of such kiosks and stores, women are now able to sell their products directly to the customers. The initiative has been named 'Tharagaigal Kaivinai Porutkal Virpanai Angadi'.
• The Thanjavur doll is a type of traditional Indian bobble head or roly-poly toy made of terracotta material.
• The centre of gravity and total weight of the doll is concentrated at its bottom-most point, generating a dancelike continuous movement with slow oscillations.
• These toys are traditionally handmade, finished with detailed, painted exteriors.
• They have been recognized as a Geographical Indication by the Government of India as of 2008-09.