A fading folk tradition of Punjab is set to find new life as a cultural organisation has announced an online “Guddiyan Patole” making competition on the occasion of World Doll Day on June 13.Though “Guddiyan Patole” currently survive mostly in Punjabi folk songs and oral traditions, the centuries-old craft once formed an important part of childhood and cultural life in rural Punjab. In an effort to revive this disappearing folk art, Sabhiacharak Sathh Punjab has invited schools, colleges and universities across Punjab and Haryana to encourage students to participate in the handmade ‘Guddiyan Patole’ (Punjabi doll) competition.The organisation has written to directors of Youth Welfare Departments, principals and heads of educational institutions in Punjab and Haryana urging them to motivate students to reconnect with Punjab’s traditional folk arts by participating.Folk arts expert Dr Davinder Kaur Dhatt said the competition aimed to preserve a unique cultural heritage that once reflected the imagination, emotions and social traditions of Punjabis. She said cash prizes of Rs 3,100, Rs 2,100 and Rs 1,100, along with trophies, would be awarded to the top three entries. The winners will be announced on World Doll Day on June 13.As per the competition guidelines, participants aged between 15 and 35 years can take part free of cost. The Punjabi doll must be handmade using cloth, cotton and fabric scraps, with a height between 12 and 15 inches. Participants may use needlework, decorative beads, stars and traditional embellishments such as gota kinari but the use of ready-made structures, plastic faces or bottles has been prohibited to maintain authenticity.Participants have been asked to record a complete single-sitting video of the doll-making process along with multiple photographs of the finished doll in different poses and submit them through WhatsApp before May 30. Shortlisted entries will later be required to send the original dolls for the final round before June 10. Organisers clarified that the submitted dolls would not be returned.The competition is open to participants from India and abroad and more than one student from a college or institution can participate.What are ‘Guddiyan Patole’?“Guddiyan Patole” refers to handmade cloth dolls traditionally created by young Punjabi girls from leftover colourful pieces of cloth. These dolls, often dressed as a bride and groom, were used in mock wedding ceremonies where women sang folk songs and performed rituals mirroring Punjabi marriage traditions. The practice not only served as play but also introduced children to community customs and cultural expression.The tradition also had links with agrarian beliefs. During periods of drought or delayed rainfall, villagers performed symbolic rituals such as “burning dolls” as prayers for rain.World Doll DayWorld Doll Day traces its origins to June 13, 1986, when noted American doll collector and author Mildred Seeley established the day to celebrate dolls as symbols of care, nurturing and human affection.