Cloth Dolls and Toys of West Bengal

Although the craft of making rag dolls is not traditional to West Bengal, yet over the years it has grown from the production of common craft dolls given to young children, to the making of more sophisticated, costumed and bejewelled dolls. Japanese rag dolls have greatly influenced the soft dolls of Bengal. Today most doll makers of West Bengal reside in Calcutta and its suburbs. Their work is distinguished by dancing girls, bride and bridegroom figures, santhal girls, and baul figures, and has won immense popularity among the young and old. Various techniques of stuffing, structuring, and limb formation, along with interesting detailing in costumes and jewellery are constantly invented and reinvented.