DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

For developing the designs for the dolls, the head theory is used. It is the same as that
used in fashion illustration, where the whole figure is divided into a certain no. of equal
parts, which are equal in height to that of the head. Female dolls are divided into nine
heads, males into eight heads, and animals into four heads. A Ganesha doll is divided
into seven heads; it has nine reference points known as dwaram; ears, eyes, and belly
button act as reference points. Small Ram and Krishna dolls are divided into seven
heads, but for big statues, it is divided into nine heads for a majestic look. The
inspiration for the dolls is taken from pinterest also.
The center of gravity is very important for the development of a stable doll. For every
new design, a sketch is made beforehand for a proportionate figure. A vertical line is
made according to the headcount required; for example, the Ashtabhuja Durga doll has
a total of seven headcounts, so a vertical line is made according to it.
Perpendicular lines are made on this line to mark the hairline, shoulders, chest, waist,
hip, thigh, knee, calves, ankle, and foot; the width of the same is kept on each horizontal
line.
Ashtabhuja means eight arms, so the placement of arms is sketched. The figure is
roughly drawn, and if it looks proportionate, the final shape is given. Details like clothes,
ornaments, arms- sword, lotus, etc., are added. Then the finer details like designs on
clothes and ornaments, facial features, hair are sketched.
The crown or the headband is sketched, and then the base- both equal to the height of
a headcount. The length of the idol is always divided into three equal parts.
The bottom and the top of the doll should be of equal width from the center line to
maintain the center of gravity of the doll.
The designs on clothes- sarees, dhotis, etc., are inspired by the current trends or
designs in the market. For sarees, the border design and small motifs are looked into.
Design books like Shilpa Shastra- which means the science of art and crafts, are
referred to. They help with the proportion, composition, design elements, ornamentation
of the sculpture or the doll. The designs on the base of the doll are sometimes inspired
by architecture. The ornaments are inspired by the current trends of the jewelry in the
market.
 a wavy and braided pattern inspired by architecture is
created on the dough.
The designs are directly carved or impressed on the layer, which is elevated by adding
colors to it. Using gold for ornaments, yellow or orange for garlands and contrasting
colours for borders in clothes help create depth and elevate the design.
Sevarai tools are of different types with many variations in it's edges that help in making
designs. The pointed edges can be used to make dots. The braided pattern can be
created by twisting a narrow edged severai and diamond pattern by making criss-cross
diagonal lines.
Pen caps, back of a brush. pencil etc used for creating circular and semicircular
impressions, the same repeated forms the pattern and hence a design. The impressions
also vary from object to object.