A Vintage South Indian Golu Doll: Shivalingam and Shakti in an Embrace

mid twentieth century
4 1/4" x 5 1/4" x 3", 10.75 cm x 13.25 cm x 7.5 cm

This charmingly 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 an unusual yet charming scene of the great god Shiva depicted as a garlanded lingam. The Shivalingam is lovingly embraced by his consort, Shakti, who personifies divine feminine power. When Shakti's ecstatic vibration is in concert with Shiva's masculine power, a catalytic and all-powerful creative energy is unleashed.

This is a sweet and loving portrait of this dynamic couple who are shown here in a rare moment of tender embrace.

As can be easily seen on the accompanying detail photographs, this golu shows a good deal of wear, patina and surface damage.

This is a depiction of an unusual yet potent scene--beautiful.