The dolls of Bengal

Biswa <g data-gr-id="23">Bangia</g> has announced the launch of a new collection of handmade dolls from the artisans of Bengal. 

The dolls will be available at all their stores, across India, and will attempt to promote the art of doll making, from Bengal. 

The dolls, although crude and rudimentary, are a perfect example of the essence of Bengal’s art and cultural heritage. Dolls have always been customarily crafted for various reasons, including cultural and religious. 

In the history of time, they have been believed to have possessed spiritual, magical and ritualistic value; the excavations made in the Sindhu Valley have given us ample proof of this. 

It can be safely assumed that modern day fired clay dolls are direct descendants of India’s ancient terracotta art.

The oldest dolls date back to 5,000 years ago, from the sites of the Indus valley civilization. 

Apart from clay, artisans also create dolls from wood, metal, sponge wood, cloth, palm leaf and jute. 

Although doll making has faced major losses due to urbanisation, it still thrives in states such as West Bengal and Rajasthan. 

Doll making is representative of India’s heritage and is the confluence of its different ages, time and culture.

Biswa <g data-gr-id="24">Bangia</g> is an initiative of the government of West Bengal to promote and revive the art and cultural heritage of Bengal as well as to help the artisans of Bengal in gaining more exposure to a greater market. 

The brand strives to revive and preserve the heritage of the state, the artistry of its craftsmen, the vast repertoire of its food and the genius of its film-makers, musicians and writers. 

Biswa <g data-gr-id="27">Bangia</g> will introduce a new line of dolls made by artisans from the heart of Bengal. 

The new doll range will be another step in the attempt to promote Bengal’s art and culture. The dolls will be available at the Kolkata Aiport store, Dakhsinapan store in Kolkata, Biswa <g data-gr-id="30">Bangia</g> Haat at Rajarhat, Baghdogra Airport store at Darjeeling and the New Delhi store of Biswa <g data-gr-id="31">Bangia</g>.