Raktabahuli -The Blood Doll

While it may sound like it’s straight out of a horror flick, the raktabahuli is used for healing rather than terrifying. Usually a carved figurine made out of red sandalwood, the Blood Doll is used in Central and South India for its medicinal properties. This rather ornate raktabahuli was discovered at the clinic of Dr Renu Marwah, a Dharavi based acupressurist. It belongs to her assistant, Sunanda Pawar, who has had it in her family for years. Exhibited as a part of Medicine Corner’s 2016 exhibition at the CSMVS, Mumbai