Retired Math Teacher's Prime Number Kolu Wins Hearts in Chennai Golu Competition

As the Navaratri season came to an end in 2025, the city of Chennai witnessed a celebration of artistic expression through the Chennai Times Chance-ey Illa Golu Contest. The event, which took place earlier this month, saw families from across the city showcase their creativity and imagination in the design of their kolu displays.

One of the standout entries was the kolu of 86-year-old retired math teacher Bhanumathi S., whose display revolved around the theme of prime numbers and their significance in various fields. Meanwhile, the mother-daughter duo of Rajee and Shreya added their own unique touch by incorporating six Tom and Jerry sets amongst the kolu dolls. Siblings Srushthika and Vimoksh, along with their parents, took the creativity a step further by opting for a total of 25 different themes in their kolu.

The grand finale of the contest is set to take place on October 18 at Muthamizh Peravai, RA Puram. The event will feature three delightful dance performances by renowned artists, including Renjith-Vijna & Ensemble (Bharatanatyam), Ridhima Singh (Kathak), and Vidhya Arasu (Odissi). The top three winners and the nine finalists will also be felicitated at the event.

Nisha Ganesh, the celebrity judge who had the opportunity to visit the homes of the top nine entries, was impressed by the effort and dedication put in by the families. "It was an amazing experience, and I had a wonderful time getting to see the theme kept at every house, as well as the homework and thought that went into it. Every family has worked really hard to make the kolu," she said.