Karnataka’s Finest: Channapatna Wooden Toys and Their Enduring Charm

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Images of Channapatna Toys & Dolls and a brief write-up have been posted right below the following brief introduction. Please don’t miss viewing them.

Channapatna toys are a kind of of wooden toys and dolls that are manufactured in the town of Channapatna in the Indian State of Karnataka.

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This traditional craft is protected as Geographical Indication (GI) under the World Trade Organization, administered by the Government of Karnataka.

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Channapatna Toys Handmade Wooden Toys for Kids Wooden Snail Scooter Toys - Pull Along Toy for Kids - Handmade channapatna (2 pcs)

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As a result of the popularity of these toys, Channapatna is known as Gombegala Ooru (toy-town) of Karnataka. Traditionally, the work involved lacquering the wood of the Wrightia tinctoria tree, colloquially called Aale mara (ivory-wood).

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Khadi Eco Basket Channapatna Wooden Press Base Joker Toy in Red Color ©

Interested in buying Channapatna wooden toys for your tiny tots and for your livingroom showcase? Here are some for your consideration, collected from various manufacturers of this town of colourful cute toys.

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Fairkraft Creations Wooden Toy - Bovow | Build & Play Pull Along Toy for 3-5 Years | Natural Colors & Dyes | Safe for Kids | Made in India - Channapatna Toys (Green)

The origin of these toys can be traced back to the reign of Tipu Sultan who invited artisans from Persia to train the local artisans in the making of wooden toys.

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Channapatna toys Handmade Non Toxic Wooden Toys for Kids Wooden Sitting Bull Pull Along Animal Toy for Kids

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Bavas Miyan is the father of Channapatna Toy. He is the one to sacrifice his life for the craft of Channapatna toy-making. He adopted Japanese technology for toy making and helped the local artisans improve their art.

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For nearly two centuries, ivory-wood was the main wood used in the making of these toys, though rosewood and sandalwood were also occasionally used.

The craft has diversified over time; in addition to the traditional ivory-wood, other woods, including rubber, sycamore, cedar, pine and teak, are also now being used.

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Manufacturing stages include procuring the wood, seasoning the wood, cutting the wood into desired shapes, pruning and carving the toys, applying colours and finally polishing the finished product.

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Vegetable dyes are used in the colouring process to ensure that the toys and dolls are safe for use by children.

With no proper backing or marketing, the Channapatna toy industry faced a financial crunch for more than a decade and was almost on the verge of going extinct.

However, with the help of Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation, the craft has been revived once again, and the artisans involved are being trained on changing trends in the industry, to help them keep abreast of the current scenario.

Prototypes designed by master craftsmen are introduced to the local artisans, who use them to create well-designed toys and dolls.

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