Woooden Toys - Chhanapatna

A small city located 60 km south-west of Bangalore, on Bangalore-Mysore state highway has been making wooden toys for children for more than 200 years.  During his reign, Tipu Sultan invited artisans from Persia to train the Indian craftsmen in making wooden toys at Channapatna or Gombegala Ooru, the “Toy Town” of Karnataka. Initially they carved the toys out of Aale mara or Doodi  Ki Lakdi (ivory-wood) from the Wrightia tinctoria tree, but then switched to rubber, cedar and teak. This traditional craft is protected as a geographical indication (GI) under the World Trade Organization, administered by the Government of Karnataka. Here is a first-hand account of this fascinating place: Incredible World of Toys Interestingly, this traditional craft has undergone another design twist in the hands of contemporary designers, who have started using the lacquered components for other lifestyle products. Source: A Lamp - Atul Johri designs Here is another perspective on this traditional craft:Channapatna - Back in the Game In our times, the journey of any handicraft object is a strife-torn one, however as long as we keep preserving, evolving, and nurturing the crafts, we will do a good turn to ourselves and our progeny.