(Top) Lacquer dolls of the bride and the groom and (above) people making the dolls in Balasore. Telegraph pictures

Balasore, May 10: The wedding ceremony of lacquer dolls will be held in Balasore on Wednesday. This event has transformed the town into a wedding mandap.

In an effort to popularise the dying traditional lacquer works of the district, local residents have decided to annually solemnise the wedding between a pair of dolls — depicting the bride and the groom.

This year many people are showing interest in the event, making the concept a success.

“The response this time has been very encouraging. The lacquer dolls have been made out of auspicious water and soil from the Ganges in Haridwar and Calcutta. We are receiving the materials required for the wedding such as dresses, utensils, and decorative items from different parts of India sent by the Odia residents,” said Kesu Das, one of the members of the organising committee and the key initiator of the event.

All the events of the doll’s wedding will take place as per rituals following authentic Odia culture and tradition, said Brajanath Rath, a poet and the president of the marriage organising committee.

One can witness the event between May 16 and 19. It would have the essence of a perfect traditional marriage.

While Upendra Patra, a resident of Balia in the town, is playing the bara karta or the groom’s caretaker, Labangalata Biswal, resident of Angargadia here, is the kanya karta, taking up the responsibilities the bride.

“We are fortunate to share the responsibilities of bride. The unique wedding is worth seeing and everyone is invited to come and be a part of the gala event,” said Biswal.

The marriage between a pair of lacquer dolls has been derived from an age-old tradition of Balasore that used to be held since it was considered auspicious.