Barbie officially launched the Barbie Diwali Anita Dongre Barbie Doll in Gauteng, this week.

Commenting on why the doll was launched now, Mattel India country manager, Lalit Agarwal, said Barbie celebrated Diwali for the first time with a dedicated doll in 2006 in the Barbie Festivals of the World collection.

“This year, Barbie is excited to showcase a doll that honors Diwali in commemoration of one of India’s most popular festivals, just as it has honoured various other celebrations of heritage including Día de Muertos and the Lunar New Year,” she explained.

“We are dedicated to reflecting the stories young kids see in the world around them through Barbie, and we couldn’t be more honored to partner with renowned Indian couturier Anita Dongre to create a doll that furthers this mission. Through the Barbie Diwali doll, Barbie is thrilled to showcase India’s vibrant cultural heritage on a global stage while continuing to celebrate the power and beauty of diversity,” Agarwal added.

The company said Barbie remains committed to showcasing a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion, as well as making sure that kids are able to play with dolls who look like them.

“This is not only in the Signature rage, where Barbie looks to represent various cultures, but also in the Fashionistas range, which is the most diverse and inclusive, from skin colour, hair colour, physical ability and disabilities and more,” the company said.

Mattel said the market has reacted with excitement towards the Barbie Diwali Doll with high profile individuals from the Indian community welcoming the doll with enthusiasm and pride, also attending the launch event, to be part of a moment that welcomes and celebrates the doll in South Africa.

“The doll has sold out, and a large potion of that on pre-order, showing the overall reception of the Barbie Diwali Doll from the entire country,” the company added.

Media personality, Kriya Gangiah who hosted Tuesday’s launch, said Diwali plays a significant role in the lives of families across the country and has been an opportunity to inspire kids to celebrate their heritage.

“I believe that the launch of the Barbie Diwali Doll, will offer an entire Indian community, my community, the opportunity to feel acknowledged, seen and represented.

“Barbie has always inspired kids to dream of limitless possibilities, and they have put actions to those words by offering the older generation the kind of validation they’ve been looking for, and the younger generation, the nod they’ve needed to embrace their cultural identity in a modern, multi-cultural society like ours,” she said

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