SHANKAR’S International Doll Museum, New Delhi, is not simply every girl’s fantasy come true. It houses one of the world’s largest collections of costumed dolls, making it a unique place of learning for people of all ages.
The museum has two sections – one dedicated to exhibits from Europe, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Commonwealth of Independent States and the other to countries from Asia, Africa and India. Every doll is handcrafted after careful research on the costume, accessories and physical characteristics.
The collection has interesting exhibits like the Japanese kabuki dancer, a 250 year old Swiss doll, a Kathakali stage, Gandhi’s Dandi March and more.
While many are gifts from abroad, most dolls are created in the Doll Workshop. There is also a ‘clinic’ where dolls are repaired.
The museum boasts of at least 6500 exhibits representing 85 countries.
The museum was the brainchild of K.Shankar Pillai (1902 – 1989), better known as Shankar, a famous political cartoonist and founder of the Children’s Book Trust.