The first of its kind in India, the International Dolls Museum in Chandigarh is set to have a rich collection as many countries have started sending representative dolls.
The Dolls Museum, an ambitious project of procuring the dolls from foreign lands, was mooted by the Chandigarh Administration to bridge the cultural and artistic linkages. The administration had sent a request letter to as many as 33 embassies and high commissions at New Delhi.
The proposal was appreciated by many embassies and so far complimentary dolls from Ambassadors of Vietnam and Turkey have been received. "Some of the embassies have responded well and offered to send representative dolls of their respective countries," said an official spokesperson.
In the same connection ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, Maria Teresita C Daza, personally made a trip to Chandigarh along with her delegation to hand over three dolls of Philippines to showcase in the permanent display of the International Dolls Museum.
The complimentary dolls of Philippines showcases the high artistic costumes of different areas of the country.
The International Dolls Museum is the first of its kind in India which museologically showcases precious and invaluable collection of about 352 heritage dolls of different 36 countries with historical, geographical, artistic and costume features.
The Museum attained its international status after the ambitious museum upgradation project, which was launched by the then administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh in 2009.
The museum has a high footfall including dignitaries, scholars, young and old alike and is very well received by the society, disclosed officer incharge, International Dolls Museum, PC Sharma.