Design Resource
Paper Mache Dolls - Nagpur, Maharashtra
Thematic Dolls
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral and Srikanth B.
Making Process
In the process of making paper mache dolls, firstly, a bundle of newspapers is torn into small pieces, and these are then moved into a shredder machine, which grinds them into even smaller pieces. The shredded pieces are fed into a mixer to be converted into a powdered form. The powdered paper is combined with an appropriate amount of babul glue and water, which helps bind the paper pulp together. Now with the help of metal wires, the framework for the doll is made. Wires are folded into eight shapes and are tied together using rag cloth. Once the framework is ready, the newspaper in long pieces is wrapped around them, giving enough strength to the doll armature. Glue is applied over the current structure so that the used newspapers keep the elements tight. After attaining intended reinforcement, the armature is mounted on a wooden platform. Once mounted, newspapers are wrapped over the wires to form various parts of the doll's body like hands, legs, etc. At this stage, the position and posture of the limbs are decided, and accordingly, paper mache is applied over it.
After the body structure is ready, next is the head part of the doll. Here various sizes of molds are used to make different sizes of the head. After fixing the head, the dolls are dried in the sun, and then repeated coats of paper mache are applied until the doll achieves an intended structure. Towards the last coat of paper mache, marble powder is mixed with the pulp to turn the rough surface smooth. Now it is left for drying in sunlight, which normally marks 2-3 days for complete firmness of the structure. Sandpapers are used to smoothen the surface again before brushing a coat of chalk powder all over the doll and dried. When all the drying and coating process is done, the dolls are taken for oil painting. In the meantime, costumes for the dolls are selected. The costume includes the dress, ornaments, and accessories utilized in their daily life, based on the theme used. These are then pasted with fabric adhesive once the oil paints over the doll dry. Further small details like nail colour, lipstick, etc., are painted. Ultimately, the eyes of the dolls are painted, giving life to the dolls. These aesthetically crafted dolls are then packed and sold to retailers or directly to customers through workshops, exhibitions, or shops attached to the art centers.
