A Vintage South Indian Golu or Kolu: Rama and Sita

mid twentieth century
7 3/4" x 6" x 3 1/2", 19.75 cm x 15.25 cm x 9 cm

This good-sized, beautifully rendered and painted molded figure is what is called in South India a golu or kolu.

These figures--and there were many gods and goddesses depicted in the form of golu--were set out in traditional home displays in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh during the nine night Hindu festival called Navratri. 

This golu depicts the god Rama and his consort Sita both crowned and seated side-by-side on a throne-like chair, with Rama proudly holding his bow, one of his distinguishing attributes.

Rama is an incarnation of the god Vishnu and, as his name suggests, is the central figure in the great Hindu epic the Ramayana.

As can be easily seen on the accompanying detail photographs, this golu shows a good deal of wear, patina and surface damage--and in this case the proper right hand of Rama is missing as can be seen on a close-up photo here.

A beautifully, soulful and collectible image of the divine pair with a good deal of age.