A yearly spiritual tradition combined with a penchant for collectables compelled a family in Sengkang to transform their modest study room into a cultural spectacle this Navratri.
In addition to the more conventional five-tier golu set-up, the family’s matriarch and artist at heart had also put together themed displays based on Formula One (F1), the FIFA World Cup, Bintan’s Nirvana Resort, Paris, and Harry Potter.
“The idea struck me after we visited Legoland in Dubai and our son started to collect all the LEGO blocks,” said Ms Bhanumathy Seetharaman, 42, a former software professional who moved to Singapore in 2009 after she married Mr Anand V C, 45, a supply chain manager.
The blocks started to accumulate, and Ms Bhanumathy thought, “why don’t I implement the Legoland concept into my golu as well?”
It first started on a smaller scale in 2015, and evolved into a showroom concept in 2018 with multiple uniquely-themed displays that line the perimeter of the room.
Past themes included dioramas of Universal Studios Singapore, Switzerland and places of interest where the family have travelled to or are fans of, like the Harry Potter novels.
Her now 12-year-old son, Ishaan Anand, a student at Middleton International School, had also previously asked his mother to incorporate his toys, like the F1 car miniatures, into her Navratri golu displays.
“It’s a collaborative effort,” Ms Bhanumathy said.
All the dolls, toys and figurines are properly kept in storage boxes, which are pulled out a day before the Navratri festival, which took place from Oct 11 to 19 this year.
The family will then have about two days to set up all the displays and put up the fairy lights.
The Parisian-themed golu display included a cardboard Eiffel Tower structure from a DIY puzzle kit, which the family had assembled together ahead of time. Around it were walkways, miniature benches and people-shaped erasers, which Ishaan used to like and collect.
“We never threw anything out,” Mr Anand said.
Some of these dolls have been part of Ms Bhanumathy’s personal collection over the years, especially the traditional mud dolls that her mother – who lives in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – gifted her when she was a child.
The family’s golu room is also a highlight for their family and friends, especially the younger ones, who are eager to come over and discover what new themes are on exhibit each year.
“Being in Singapore, it’s a diverse culture and so we try to invite non-Indians so they too can get a glimpse of our culture and traditions,” Mr Anand noted.
