“I have been selling mud dolls for the past 25 years. My parents were farmers and as our family migrated to the city, we got into this business line. So, during Navratri, we setup a makeshift shop on the streets of Mylapore. And once the festival spirit fades away, we carry the dolls around the city selling them at various areas. We source the toys from different parts of the state like Pondicherry and Virudachalam. Each city, specialises in a different variety of doll so we make sure that we source the dolls from the original artisans. This year, the Athi Varadar doll was an instant hit among the customers. I worship my work and this has come to become a part of my identity. I feel connected to my work in a spiritual way. My favourite doll is that of the Lord Ganesh but I don’t discriminate between religions and gods. I visit all the spiritual houses including churches and temples. My work and my prayer are my only solace in a crisis, and I seek strength for endurance through the prayers I offer to the gods. Everyday in this life is a roller coaster but one should never be deterred by the roadblocks. No matter what difficulty I face, I say a prayer and set out to seize the day the best I can. Both of my sons are studying in reputed colleges in the city which was made possible only through the earnings I made through my work. My work is my worship and I hope to continue this till the day I die.”

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