When kids only get to see white dolls and that’s what they often get to hold, to love and to snuggle with, it might come across to them as only those dolls or only those people who look like those dolls are the ones the world cares about. 

It is important for little brown kids to see themselves in these dolls – to grow a sense of pride and confidence. Through Culturorama we want to convey that brown south asian kids are as beautiful and as prettier than anybody else to be made into a doll. Every shade of skin tone and every piece of our culture that makes us unique is worth loving and celebrating.

Toys are some of the first tools we are given to learn how to grow up. Which toys we are given, and how we play with them will have huge influence on the people we will become as we get older. Our inspiration came from the deep desire for the world to learn about Indian culture, not just from the movies and books. That said, this should start with children playing with dolls inspired by various cultures, including South Asia.

Let playing be the reason to learn. To connect to the world and find a way to grow pride and empathy towards people of all colors and backgrounds. And together, we can build a world that’s more empathetic and appreciates diversity.

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