With
the onslaught of cheap Chinese toys, the Indian toy industry is in a bad shape
and local art of making wooden toys would surely have died out were it not for
government support. One such localized toy making industry turns out beautiful
Channapatna toys. Have you heard of Channapatna? It would not be surprising if
this is the first time you have heard or read about it. Channapatna toys refer
to toys made in the small town of Channapatna in Bangalore district.
Channapatna toys are painstakingly made from ivory wood that is dried,
seasoned, carved, lacquered and then polished. It is said the art was brought
into India by Persian craftsmen invited by Tippu Sultan to train local people.
What is unique to Channapatna toys is that each one is made by hand and only
with the use of organic material for coloring and lacquering. This means it is
safe for use by even tiny tots who tend to put things in their mouth. A second
distinctive feature is that the toys have rounded corners and shapes with no
sharp angles, which also makes them safe for use by children.
Because
of high cost of labor and wood and a lengthy process, the toy makers find it
difficult to sell at competitive prices. However, you can buy handmade
channapatna wooden toys online on www.craftsvenue.com and
by doing so you help artisans and also give your kids a safe toy to play with.
Long after your child has grown up the channapatna toys can grace your showcase
because they have a lovely, rustic charm.
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