A fading folk tradition of Punjab is set to find new life through the creativity of young girls and women, as a cultural organisation has announced an online “Guddiyan Patole” making competition on the occasion of World Doll Day on June 13.
Though “Guddiyan Patole” (Punjabi cloth dolls) today survive largely in folk songs and oral traditions, the centuries-old craft was once an integral part of childhood and cultural life in rural Punjab. In an effort to revive this disappearing folk art, the Sabhiacharak Sathh Punjab has invited schools, colleges and universities across Punjab and Haryana to encourage students to participate in the handmade “Guddiyan Patole” competition.
The organisation has written to directors of Youth Welfare Departments, principals and heads of educational institutions in Punjab and Haryana, urging them to motivate students to reconnect with Punjab’s traditional folk arts through creative participation.
Folk arts expert Dr Davinder Kaur Dhatt said the competition aims to preserve a unique cultural heritage that once reflected the imagination, emotions and social traditions of Punjabi girls. She said cash prizes of Rs 3,100, Rs 2,100 and Rs 1,100, along with trophies, would be awarded to the top three entries. The winners will be announced on World Doll Day on June 13.
According to the competition guidelines, participants aged between 15 and 35 years can take part free of cost. The Punjabi doll must be handmade using cloth, cotton and fabric scraps, and should measure between 12 and 15 inches in height. Participants may use needlework, decorative beads, stars and traditional embellishments such as gota kinari, but the use of ready-made structures, plastic faces or bottles has been prohibited to maintain authenticity.
Participants have been asked to record a complete single-sitting video of the doll-making process along with multiple photographs of the finished doll in different poses and submit them through WhatsApp before May 30. Shortlisted participants will later be required to send the original dolls for the final round before June 10. Organisers clarified that the submitted dolls would not be returned.
The competition is open to participants from India and abroad, and more than one student from a college or institution may participate.
