Dolls Museum

A one of a kind collection of the largest varieties of dolls in the world the Dolls Museum in Delhi is absolute paradise for children. The credit behind the creation of this masterpiece goes to the renowned political cartoonist, K Shankar Pillai (1902-1989). Located at the Children's Book Trust building in Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg the Dolls Museum in Delhi provides you with a glimpse of costume dolls not only from India but almost all corners of the globe. An enthralling experience in itself because nowhere in the world do you find such a huge collection of costume dolls. The Dolls Museum is a place that carries the tourists down the memory lane, and leaves them laden with nostalgia.

Built over an area of 5,184.5 sq ft the Dolls Museum is placed on the first floor of the Children's Book Trust building. The museum is divided into two halves; one half consists of around 160 glass cases that display dolls from Yugoslavia, Greece, Mexico, Thailand, Poland, South Korea, USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Commonwealth of Independent States, etc.

The other half displays exhibits from some of the most popular Asian countries, India, Middle East and Africa. The Dolls Museum remains open on all the days expect Mondays.

The Dolls Museum shows dolls in different forms. The Dolls museum at Delhi contains dolls depicting the various dance traditions in India, especially the Kathakali dance that is known for its interesting costumes. Among the other dolls found in the Dolls Museum are:

• Dolls from Japan (Kabuki and Samurai dolls)
• Replica dolls of the Queen's collection in UK
• Replica of Maypole Dance from Hungary
• Replica of the Flamenco dancers from Spain
• Replica Women's Orchestra from Thailand
• Kandy Pehara from Sri Lanka
• Boys and girls festival dolls from Japan

Besides, the displayed dolls, one can also find the dolls being sold at the adjoining shops. But the Doll Workshop forms the hub of major excitement. Here the tourists can participate in the process of doll making and thus learn the art in the process.

The museum started with a thousand dolls. Between 1965 and 1987 another 5,000 were added - a vast majority coming as gifts. Today the volume has increased to 6,500 exhibits from almost 85 countries, truly giving it an international character.

The Dolls Museum is indeed a mandatory location on the sightseers list!

Last Updated on 04 July 2011