Dolls’ marriage is solemnised in the district for last seven years with pomp and gaiety in order to propagate the lacquer works of Baleswar district.
This year, the nuptial knot would be tied on May 31 while the lagna sthira( auspicious time period) was held on Saturday in a Krishna temple in Barabati area in the district headquarters town.
Vimal Ash and his wife Sindhumati while would shoulder the responsibility as father and mother of symbolic girl doll, Vimal Jena and his wife Rannjita would don the role of father and mother of the symbolic bridegroom this year.
The reception after marriage would be held on June 3 at Gandhi Smruti Bhawan.
“We feel fortunate being given the opportunity to host a reception dinner,” said the Jena couple.
The doll construction work while began on Ram Navami the soil this year was brought from river Baitarani.
“As per decision of our committee each year the construction works while begins on Ram Navami , the lagna sthira is done on Buddha Purnima and the marriage is made on Jestha Ekadashi. The sacred soil was brought from the river Baitarani. Each year the nuptial knot is tied between the groom and bride in different names associated with the mythological, historical and folk characters,” said Kesu Das, a key member of Jau Kandhei festival committee.
“This year their names of the bride and groom would be Padmamala and Parikshit respectively which are characters of a novel written by Umesh Chandra in 1888 basing on a folk tale of 1835. Since 2009 while the event is organised, it is gaining popularity and more and more people voluntarily are associating with us,” he said.
“The dolls’ marriage is meant to promote the lacquer works and protect the artisans. This year besides in district headquarters at least in other seven places in the district, the event is scheduled to be observed,” said Subasini Jena, a founder member of the committee.
“We would be holding seminars and workshops on lacquer works during dolls’ marriage,” said Das.
Further, in order to bring an awareness among the school children about Padmamala and Parikshit , a drawing competition was held.