Comments on: Plushy Kali

By: sandhya

sandhya — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:24:47 +0000

Just catching up with posts after vacation. I don't think the kali dolls are anything that new. Ammachi, the hugging guru, has similar dolls for sale at her events and at the Amma shop. There's a market for everything, though I'm guessing that most parents would probably buy a Ganesha or Radha doll over a Kali doll.

By: Piya

Piya — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:02:29 +0000

I agree with the people who would buy a plush Ganesha. I might even buy a plush Krishna- both gods do give off a more approachable vibe and I would feel comfortable doing so. I wouldn't feel worried that they'd get mad at me, as silly as that sounds. I don't know why, but a plush Kali just feels kind of wrong to me. -Because- she is supposed to be feared in that way, that she isn't that cute little icon you can look at and smile about. My mom also pointed out that if this did come in a traditional home, the plushie couldn't touch the ground since it's a representation of god. But what kid's going to listen to that?

By: kusala

kusala — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:05:43 +0000

Kali Ma’s not necessarily my bag. I think I’d definitely buy a plushie version of his Ganpati though. Definitely.

By: louiecypher

louiecypher — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:04:02 +0000

13 Â· my_dog_jagat said

louiecypher:
I don't feel any of his toys make sense for any Hindu deities (excepting Krishna and Ganesh)
I concur. Add Garuda and Hanuman. The Indian version of Ganesh is too cute and already like a cuddly toy.

It's not just the cuddliness, but the fact that in every day folk Hinduism they are approachable (not sure about Garuda) and are supposed to intercede in our human concerns. Contrast with aloof, meditative Shiva

By: my_dog_jagat

my_dog_jagat — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:45:14 +0000

louiecypher:

I don't feel any of his toys make sense for any Hindu deities (excepting Krishna and Ganesh)

I concur. Add Garuda and Hanuman. The Indian version of Ganesh is too cute and already like a cuddly toy.

By: Rohit

Rohit — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:01:42 +0000

I don’t think there is a problem with plush devi dolls per se, though Kali is difficult to imagine. You can buy plush stuffed Ganesha’s in most malls in Delhi nowadays, though I have a feeling its linked to the merchandising of a recent mythological film

By: Dr AmNonymous

Dr AmNonymous — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:25:09 +0000

Here, the fact that Iâ€™m not a Hindu gets in the way of my ability to imagine peopleâ€™s reactions.

Different Hindus will have different relationships to this - both in terms of the particular traditions they inherited through their families/communities as well as their own thinking and personality. As a bong raised Goddess worshipper / atheist, it makes me variously feel grossed out by the commodification, curious about it all, liberated in the sense that as far as I'm concerned this now gives me license to do whatever the f@#k I want to with other people's religious imagery, and scared (as all Kali images do to me). I'm also just amazed at how much free advertising and feedback this guy's getting before the product's even launched.

By: Rajiv

Rajiv — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:28:40 +0000

Though I don’t think it’s horribly offensive, I just can’t see a plush Kali in the same room as Curious George and Hannah Montana.

By: Teri_Maa

Teri_Maa — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:31:31 +0000

I liked Ghee Happy, so the plushie doesnt shock me. It just reminds me that our gods are not really designed/shaped to be cuddly (except maybe Ganesha)

By: Bengal Tigrrr

Bengal Tigrrr — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:23:25 +0000

I hope I won’t lose any karma points for like the plushy Kali!