Thanjavur’s taditional ‘Thalaiyatti Bommai’ art captivates visitors at Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0

Stall No. 28 at Namo Ghat in Varanasi, featuring the “Thanjavur Thalaiyatti Bommai,” has become a major attraction for traditional handicraft enthusiasts during Kashi Tamil Sangam 4.0.  The stall is operated by Shri Hari Prasanth Boopathy from Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, who visited Varanasi for the first time to showcase the rich cultural heritage of South India.
 
The traditional craft of Thalaiyatti Bommai (moving dolls) is being preserved and promoted by the sixth generation of his family. This art has been passed down through generations and has now gained international recognition. Shri Hari Prasanth Boopathy exports these dolls to several countries, including the United States and Canada.
 
These traditional dolls are inspired by the architectural style of the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur and are considered disaster-resistant, much like the temple itself. Primarily, the dolls depict the figures of kings and queens, vividly reflecting South Indian culture and royal traditions.
 
Shri Hari Prasanth Boopathy is not only a prominent entrepreneur in this business but also an active promoter of the traditional art form. He conducts workshops in schools and colleges and operates a government-recognized training centre under the Central Government’s Handicraft Training Platform. His business operates on a B2B model and he is regarded as one of the leading businessmen preserving this art form in Thanjavur.
 
Visitors and tourists at his stall during Kashi Tamil Sangam 4.0 were captivated by the dolls, drawing a large crowd to this distinctive art form.
 
On this occasion, Shri Hari Prasanth Boopathy expressed his gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Education and the organisers of Kashi Tamil Sangamam. He said that this platform gave him the chance to visit Varanasi for the first time, learn about different art forms from across the country, and show his traditional craft to people who had never seen it before.

He also mentioned that his father has received several state-level awards, and their family’s Thalaiyatti Bommai dolls have been gifted to many legislators and chief ministers. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 is emerging as a strong platform for traditional artisans like him, helping to connect the cultural heritage of North and South India.