A creative Gauteng resident has found a unique way to celebrate Diwali by transforming ordinary dolls into traditionally dressed Indian women adorned with colourful skirts filled with healthy snacks. Devina Haripersad, an engineering journalist, has been making special Diwali gifts for her family for years and this year's creation is no exception. She purchased five inexpensive dolls and gave them a traditional Indian makeover, combining handmade clothing and jewellery.
Haripersad's inspiration for the snack-filled dolls came from Instagram, where she saw a creative way to incorporate healthier snack options into Diwali celebrations. She wanted to find a way to make her gifts special and exciting without losing the traditional joy of receiving beautifully presented gifts. The dolls' elaborate skirts were made using transparent cellophane mehndi cones filled with peanuts, cashew nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, chevda, and sev.
Every detail of the dolls was carefully assembled by hand, from painting bindis on their foreheads to enhancing their eye makeup and smoothing their hair into traditional plaits. Haripersad used shiny organza fabric to make their dupattas, and beads and cotton were fashioned into jewellery, completing their festive attire. The final touch was assembling the snack-filled mehndi cones into the dolls' voluminous skirts.
For Haripersad, the idea of creating healthy Diwali gifts reflects a personal effort to bring balance to the kitchen counters that often become laden with sweet treats during the festival. She acknowledged that exchanging sweetmeats is a cherished tradition, but wanted to create a healthier option. Haripersad believes that the joys of Indian culture and traditions do not have to revolve around sugar.
Haripersad's intention was not to introduce a new way of celebrating Diwali, but to incorporate familiar foods like fruit, nuts, and seeds more often as Indian families work on reducing their sugar intake. She plans to gift the five dolls to the grandchildren of her late mother, Sharla, and her mother's four sisters, as the dolls' beauty and traditional countenance reminded her of her mother and aunts.
The dolls are a way for Haripersad to honour the generation of women in her life who played an important role in shaping her love for Diwali. She hopes that the recipients will enjoy the creativity behind the dolls and that they will associate the excitement with the traditional festival. Haripersad's five-year-old niece, Anvika, is expected to love the doll, and seeing her excitement will be rewarding for Haripersad.
Haripersad's creative Diwali gifts are a testament to the importance of tradition and innovation in celebrating cultural festivals. By incorporating healthier snack options and traditional Indian attire, she has created a unique and meaningful way to celebrate Diwali with her loved ones.
Key points
- Devina Haripersad creates unique Diwali gifts with snack-filled dolls.
- The dolls are filled with healthy snacks like nuts, seeds, and savoury snacks.
- Haripersad's creation is a way to incorporate healthier options into Diwali celebrations.
