Channapatna Toys

• Context (TH): Channapatna toys have become part of children’s academic activities in Afghanistan.

• Channapatna toys are a particular form of wooden toys and dolls manufactured in Channapatna town in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka.
• Channapatna is also known as Gombegala Ooru (toy-town).

History

• The toys have a rich history that dates back to the time of the Wodeyar dynasty in the 18th century.
• The craft is said to have been introduced to the region by Persian artisans.

Features

• These toys are handcrafted using a unique technique called “lac-turnery.”
• Craftsmen use a lathe to shape softwood, usually Indian ivory wood or Aale mara (Wrightia tinctoria), into various forms. However, nowadays, sandalwood and mango wood are also used.
• They are also painted in organic colours extracted from vegetables and plants and natural dyes, making the Channapatna Toys 100% chemical-free.
• It received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2005.