The Mylapore Trio are siblings Amarnath, Surendranath and Aparna, known for elaborate Navratri golu displays that brought together household tradition, carefully planned temple installations and distinctive themes. A 2017 Scroll.in profile by Vinita Govindarajan documents their work and the family and artistic influences behind it. The article is a historical portrait, not an update on what the siblings are doing today.
What is golu?
Golu is a Navratri display of figurines arranged on stepped platforms, common in households in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Govindarajan’s profile explains the arrangement through the story of Durga assembling to battle Mahishasura over nine days, with Vijayadashami marking her victory. That is the cultural framing given in the profile, rather than a comprehensive account of Navratri’s religious histories.
For the Mylapore Trio, golu was both a home practice and a form of large-scale public display. Their own household arrangement reportedly extended across five rooms, while temple installations called for a planned theme, a built structure and a backdrop.
Who were the Mylapore Trio?
In the 2017 profile, Amarnath, Surendranath and Aparna are presented as foster children of Sumukhi and Rajshekaran, a couple involved in traditional arts. The article says their biological mother had also been fostered by the couple. It also reports that all three studied classical dance and music at Kalakshetra.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- 100% Handmade :- Handmade by recognised Artisans from Tamil Nadu Craft Type: Dolls & Toys, showpiece, Golu dolls, Navratri Decor items
- Package Includes: 10 pieces of wooden Handmade traditional Dasavathaaram . A must have traditional showpiece for your homes. You could use this as an traditional Golu idol, and Navratri Golu dolls decoration. Ideal for gifting idea for house warming, Diwali and navratri festivals
- This traditional showpiece will give an ethnic look to your home or worship place. It's a unique benchmark creation by our Indian rural craftsman . Color and size may slightly vary as its a purely Handmade product.
- PERFECT GIFT: Unique Home Decor is an ideal gift for all purposes, Event Decor, Return Gifts | Corporate Gifts
- GUARANTEED SATISFACTION on our products. Why bother with fake plastic material when you can own a real wooden handemade product HASTHA KALALU offers a huge collection of vintage chess pieces meeting official FIDE chess championship standards. Click on "BRAND: Hastha Kalalu" to explore our collection
The profile identifies them as siblings who combined different skills in their golu work. At the time of publication, Amarnath was described as a history professor at Chennai’s Presidency College; Surendranath as a freelance art director and president of the Sri Sumukhi Rajshekaran Memorial Foundation; and Aparna as national head of ICICI Bank’s Loans and Securities Department. These are descriptions from 2017, not verified current biographies.
How they planned temple displays
The siblings’ temple work involved advance planning and collaboration. According to the profile, planning could begin as much as six months ahead. Surendranath visualised the structure and coordinated with carpenters on the display stand and backdrop. The siblings and Bharatanatyam dancer Sugathan, whom they considered their foster son, brainstormed themes and designs together.
Rank #2
- Handmade Wooden Craftsmanship - This intricately handcrafted wooden idol set of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra is a masterpiece of traditional craftsmanship, highlighting fine detailing and vibrant hand-painted designs. The compact size makes it perfect for adorning any space, whether it’s your home mandir, car dashboard, or office desk.
- Perfect Size for Versatile Display - Measuring 3.5 inches in length and 1.75 inches in height, this idol set is designed to fit beautifully in small spaces like car dashboards, office tables, or altar shelves. Despite its compact size, the presence of these deities brings a strong spiritual and decorative charm to any environment.
- Package Includes - The idol shows the graceful forms of Lord Jagaaaannath, Balaram, and Subhadra, radiating a sense of divine energy. Set Contains of lord Jagannath Idol Bishnu, Balabhadra Balaram & Devi Subhadra Idols
- Symbol of Devotion & Protection - Lord Jagannath, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, holds immense spiritual significance, symbolizing devotion, protection, and divine blessings. This set serves as an auspicious addition to your home, car, or workplace, bringing peace, protection, and positive energy into your space.
- Perfect for Gifting & Festivals - Whether you're celebrating Navratri, Diwali, or any special occasion, this beautifully handcrafted wooden idol set makes for a thoughtful and meaningful gift. Its elegant design and cultural relevance make it a perfect gifting option for loved ones or for enhancing your own spiritual practices.
The article says the Trio had been invited by temple managements for displays over the eight years preceding its 2017 publication. Their temple projects included an eight-sided golu at Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore in 2009 and their first Madurai temple golu, themed around Shanmathan and the life of Adi Shankara, in 2011. Other sites named in the profile include Madurai Meenakshi, Parthasarathy and Ranganathaswamy at Srirangam.
Govindarajan reports that the Madurai installation drew “lakhs of people,” but gives no exact count or method for estimating attendance. Amarnath recalled the significance of receiving space at orthodox temples: “We could hardly believe it when such orthodox temples gave us a space to create our golu,” he said. He added, “We really made history.”
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- Size: indians: high 2.3-5.1 Inches, tree: high 3.9 inches, shed: high 3.1 inches, tent: high 1.3 inches, campfire: high 4 inches
- Materials: plastic, smooth surface, hard and sturdy
- It can be easily hold in the hands,put in a present bag,or a great Halloween Christmas present
- Exquisite Skills: These Indian resin figurines are meticulously crafted with rich detail and crafted with precision and authentic detail to create a lifelike figurine
- Wide Range of Use: These statues can be used in a variety of scenarios, whether as tabletop decorations or room decorations, they can add a unique mood to your space. In addition, these figurines are indispensable for themed parties
Creative freedom, with a point of view
The profile describes the siblings as having written guidelines and being asked to judge city-wide golu competitions for nearly 15 years by 2017. It does not set out a formal judging rubric. Their reported work suggests that theme, religious or cultural framing, scale, construction and the clarity of a display’s message all mattered to them.
Surendranath argued that a temple display should communicate clearly to its audience: “Since thousands of people view it, the message has to be clear and proper and correct.” He also objected to some contemporary subjects. Of disaster-themed displays, he asked, “Why do people depict the Twin Tower attack or the sinking Titanic in their golu? It does not give a positive vibe at all.” He questioned playful modern portrayals of deities, too: “Why would you want to depict Ganesha talking on a cellphone?” He continued, “Or Krishna playing cricket? See I am not a fanatic. But the God has been created for some purpose and they have their own identity.”
Rank #4
- Features: Handmade devotional attire Traditional red color Suitable for puja rituals and temple décor Ideal for Lord Venkateswara / Balaji styling Can be used for Golu dolls and deity displays Works beautifully for Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman-inspired settings Perfect for festivals, celebrations, and sacred home décor This divine ensemble includes three sacred adornments: a graceful dhoti, a royal patka, and a devotional maala—each piece echoing the spirit of devotion.
Those comments are Surendranath’s opinions as reported in 2017, not universal rules for golu. The profile also shows the siblings’ process as lively rather than frictionless: Amarnath said, “We don’t have any ego clashes, but we have lots of arguments,” describing their collaboration.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keeping the home open and finding dolls
The household display was also a social gathering place. Aparna described keeping it accessible to visitors: “Anybody can come at any time, we make sure at least one of us is at home,” she said.
Best Value
- 100% Handmade :- Handmade by recognised Artisans from Tamil Nadu Craft Type: Dolls & Toys, showpiece, Golu dolls, Navratri Decor items
- Package Includes: 10 pieces of wooden Handmade traditional Dasavathaaram . A must have traditional showpiece for your homes. You could use this as an traditional Golu idol, and Navratri Golu dolls decoration. Ideal for gifting idea for house warming, Diwali and navratri festivals
- This traditional showpiece will give an ethnic look to your home or worship place. It's a unique benchmark creation by our Indian rural craftsman . Color and size may slightly vary as its a purely Handmade product.
- PERFECT GIFT: Unique Home Decor is an ideal gift for all purposes, Event Decor, Return Gifts | Corporate Gifts
- GUARANTEED SATISFACTION on our products. Why bother with fake plastic material when you can own a real wooden handemade product HASTHA KALALU offers a huge collection of vintage chess pieces meeting official FIDE chess championship standards. Click on "BRAND: Hastha Kalalu" to explore our collection
The siblings also raised concerns about sourcing well-crafted figurines in traditional forms. Aparna said: “The few doll-makers who produce well-crafted dolls produce less and sell them abroad at expensive rate,” This records the family’s observation at the time; the profile does not establish present-day availability, identify particular makers or verify current sellers.
A family story shaped by the arts
Beyond the displays, Govindarajan’s profile connects the Trio’s practice to an upbringing in traditional arts and shared work. Amarnath reflected on the constraints and priorities of his childhood with a striking personal remark: “Today, I proudly tell people that I cannot ride a cycle. If I had learnt it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” The line offers a glimpse of how he understood that upbringing, rather than a general lesson about artistic training.
The account of the Mylapore Trio remains a specific portrait of three siblings and their collaborators, documented in 2017. It captures how they brought family, craft and considered themes into both domestic Navratri celebrations and temple installations; it does not establish whether those projects or relationships continued afterward.
Read Vinita Govindarajan’s original Scroll.in profile, published September 26, 2017.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
