The head-shaking dolls of Thanjavur are known for returning to their upright position regardless of how they are moved. They are part of stories and metaphors, art and craft. These dolls come in two types: uruttu bommai (king and queen figures) and talai aati bommai (dancing girls). They represent Hindu deities, mythological characters, literary figures, and Thanjavur dynasties. Some dolls also depict dance forms like Kathakali and Manipuri. These dolls are an integral part of ceremonies like Kolu and Dussehra.

The origin of Thanjavur dolls can be traced back to the 19th century under the Marathi King Serfoji. Back then, around 500 artisans were involved in crafting these dancing dolls. Today, this craft is survived and passed down by only two dozen families. Gold leaf, precious stones and intricate beadwork adorn these painted hand-made dolls. The crafting process starts with creating a dish-shaped clay base. Moulds made from Plaster of Paris (POP) are used to form the body parts. After drying, they are assembled using cement and POP. A slurry mixture of POP is applied to the doll before painting to give it a shiny finish. Details like clothing, accessories, and facial expressions are painted with natural and artificial colours. Different-sized brushes are used with red soil being one of the materials used for colouring the base.

When tapped, these dolls gently sway in a continuous dance-like movement without any strings or springs. Slowly, they return to an upright position because of their heavy clay base, showing excellent balance with gravity.

Thanjavur doll tradition was certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008.

A group of doctoral students brought Thanjavur doll artistry to life, in an eight-minute animated short film. The doll appears to dance Bharatanatyam through motion capture.

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