Marapaachi dolls for Golu
Submitted by Lata on Wed, 2009-08-26 18:34
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How many of us make use of Marapaachi dolls in our Golu arrangement? Do they still make these in India, or are they sort of "extinct"? I have a couple for examples. But no complete sets, if at all they come in sets. If you do happen to have some, tell us how you decorate it for Golu.
lakshmiraghu
Wed, 2009-08-26 19:10
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Lata good topic.yes still it is available ...i do have a old set as well as couple of new ones decorated.i will take a snap of it and i will post it.
Lata
Wed, 2009-08-26 19:19
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Lakshmi, how early do you wake up anyway? Or, you don't go to bed at all. I didn't expect you hear from you so soon/ so early! (are you commenting before your morning kolam time or after?):)
lakshmiraghu
Wed, 2009-08-26 19:27
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Lata hehe usauly i go to bed around 11pm and wake up at 4am..this is my routine...4am 5.30 am kolam period...next preiod is cooking/pooja/making ready for pavan to go to school/in between gaps online IKOLAM...(P.C IS ON FROM 6AM TO 11PM).hehe
subashini
Wed, 2009-08-26 22:48
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I also have a set of marapachi with bride and bridegroom alankaram.Usually a set of marapachi was given as a gift by her family to a bride in her marriage.
Lata
Wed, 2009-08-26 22:56
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Lakshmi, I'll keep your schedule in mind, might come in handy sometime
Subashiniji, nice to know you visit Cafe too

My parents got a set of Marapaachi for their marriage back in 1968, but my mom didn't get me one when I got married.
subashini
Wed, 2009-08-26 23:12
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Don't worry Latha, If you come India ,i will give you a set of marapachi on behalf of your mother.
judelined
Wed, 2009-08-26 23:36
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Oh that is very sweet of Subashini right Lata??
Lata
Thu, 2009-08-27 00:16
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I'm soooo touched! That's very nice of you Subashiniji!
You see, I don't forget these things, I might end up asking her for it when I actually meet her! But, lets not tell her that and scare her away now) 
(Judy, she doesn't know that I'm taking her seriously!
subashini
Thu, 2009-08-27 00:59
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Lata, I also said it seriously .I love all girls smaller than me.I will surely give when we meet.(pl inform me previously)I don't scare about it.It will be a pleasure for me.I told that from my heart .
rajamma_2
Thu, 2009-08-27 08:03
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Lata, Marapaachi is the main thing we should keep in the Kolu. since Subashini already commmitted I am not. I think Lakshmi will give decoration materiels. So all are tempting u to come to India soon?
Subashini u donot love elders, then I have to hide my age.
Lata
Thu, 2009-08-27 15:06
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I knew it that this subject will get you experts talking!
subashini
Thu, 2009-08-27 21:39
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Rajamma madam, don't mistaken me.I don't mean like that.I love elders too.I respect them.showing your age is adding beauty to you.I like your kolams, your experience and comments.
Rajusree
Tue, 2009-09-01 08:17
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I got a pair of marapacchi dolls from my parents side as a part of a tradition in marriage. I didn't decorate it in India but i got some color papers and decorated that. Keeping marapaacchi as a pair in golu (first step) gives prosperity. That's what they say.
Lata
Tue, 2009-09-01 09:07
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Padmashree, do you follow the practice of keeping golu, I meant here in the US? When I started keeping it here many years ago, all I had is a couple of brass idols of Ganesha and my kids' set of barbie dolls.
(please call me lata)
jayamohan
Tue, 2009-09-01 22:29
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Lata, why not throw a 'marapachi decorating' contest for Navarathri?
Lata
Tue, 2009-09-01 22:31
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Why not? Great idea madam.
Rajusree
Wed, 2009-09-02 13:21
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Yes i keep golu here is US too. the first year i got all the dolls from dollartree and after that everytime when somebody came from (relatives) India i got golu bommai from India and i have a big collection now. (not so big) atleast for 7 steps. this year i don't think i can keep golu because i'm in my ninth month of pregnancy and my son is a mischeivious boy now.
Lata
Wed, 2009-09-02 19:45
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In that case, I'm glad your son lets you type comments here.

I remember how my kids used to do all sorts of mischievious things the moment I looked into any screen.
Hope "help" is arriving from India! Take care, and do drop in when ever possible.
jayamohan
Thu, 2009-09-03 22:05
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So, can we expect a navarathri release? All the best for a safe delivery!
judelined
Thu, 2009-09-03 22:18
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Hey Padma all the very best for a safe delivery - we are all curious so please keep us updated after the baby arrives
Rajusree
Fri, 2009-09-04 09:08
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Thank you all for ur wishes. I will let u all know once my baby is born.
rajamma_2
Fri, 2009-09-04 20:04
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Hey, Padma, take care, enjoy full rest. we all wish and pray for the safe delivery!
Rajusree
Sat, 2009-09-05 08:31
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Thank you Rajamma maa'm.
sjnt
Mon, 2009-09-14 05:45
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In olden days, the marriage of boys and girls were in their childhood or in their early teens, the marappachi dolls were given to the bride{?????????}, for them to play with.
You know, what is the significance of the wati [Cuplike mangalsutra of Teluguites, kannadites and Maharashtrians etc?] . When the children are married off at a young age, the girls ised to cry to see or go to their mother. These cuplike mangalsutras were filled with hardboiled sugar. When ever the small girls cry for their mother, elders used to ask them to lick the hardboiled sugar in them, to pacify them. Any other angles or views on this?
Lata
Mon, 2009-09-14 15:01
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I'm a fan of those type of Mangalsutras (very nice black beads with gold, and a cute pendant that you don't have to hide). But, my mom didn't agree...
Nice to know about the "purpose" of the cup-shaped mangalsutras. I can't wait to hear from our other friends.
Nanhi
Mon, 2009-09-21 05:02
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very interesting indeed........so happy to read so many views and enrich myself with some information.
thanks ikolam for this initiative.
Lata
Tue, 2009-09-22 09:59
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I'm glad you enjoyed this topic Ms.Nanhi, do visit again to get updates regarding this topic over the next few days.
jayamohan
Mon, 2009-09-14 21:59
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Is that so, Jayanthi? I've not heard of it! My mother used to wear a flat table-spoon sized thaali, which she will use to seperate the coconut from its shell during our temple visits when we were kids!
amuthavalli
Sat, 2009-09-19 22:25
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Hi all,
After seeing the marapachi image...... childhood memories flashing in my mind. Those days, even child was given marapachi toys to play which was (is) eco friendly, safer, no toxic substances etc. I hope, again those marapachi would incarnate in our lives.
Regards
Lata
Mon, 2009-09-21 00:33
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I wish for the same, Ms.Amuthavalli.