Channapatna toys

2024-05-09T09:24:47Z

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{{short description|Channapatna made toys}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
[[File:Wooden toys.JPG|350px|thumb|right|An assortment of Channapatna toys and dolls]]
'''Channapatna toys''' are a particular form of [[wood]]en [[toy]]s and [[doll]]s that are manufactured in the town of [[Channapatna]] ( 12.87 Sq.K.M) <ref>{{Cite web|title=Area Sqft|url=http://www.channapatnacity.mrc.gov.in/|website=www.channapatnacity.mrc.gov.in|access-date=2020-05-16}}</ref>in the [[Ramanagara]] district of [[Karnataka]] state, [[India]]. This traditional [[craft]] is protected as a [[geographical indication]] (GI) under the World Trade Organization, administered by the Government of Karnataka.<ref name="GI">GI for Channapatna toys and dolls is mentioned by {{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/19/stories/2006021919380100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610040226/http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/19/stories/2006021919380100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-06-10|author=P. Manoj|title=GI certificate for Channapatna toys, Bidriware, Coorg orange|access-date=2007-04-22|location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2006-02-19}}</ref> As a result of the popularity of these toys, Channapatna is known as ''Gombegala Ooru'' (toy-town) of Karnataka.<ref name="tt">A brief history of Channapatna toys is provided by {{cite news|author=Govind D. Belgaumkar and Anil Kumar Sastry|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/27/stories/2006102714680200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210153012/http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/27/stories/2006102714680200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-02-10|title=Unique symbols of Karnataka |access-date=2007-04-22|location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2006-10-27}}</ref> Traditionally, the work involved [[lacquerware|lacquering]] the wood of the ''Wrightia tinctoria'' tree,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5859e/x5859e04.htm|title=Chapter 3: Case Study 2 – LAC-Turnery and the Lacquerware Industry }}</ref> colloquially called ''Aale mara'' (ivory-wood).<ref name="nic">A brief description of [[Channapatna]] toys is provided by {{cite web|url=http://bangalorerural.nic.in/IndComm.htm|author=National Informatics Centre|title=Industries and Commerce, Bangalore Rural district|work=Official Webpage of the Bangalore Rural district|publisher=Government of [[Karnataka]]|access-date=2007-04-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518050121/http://bangalorerural.nic.in/IndComm.htm|archive-date=2007-05-18|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Channapatna-toys.jpg|thumb|right|Channapatna toys]]
The origin of these toys can be traced to the reign of [[Tipu Sultan]] who invited [[artisan]]s from [[Persia]] to train the local artisans in the making of wooden toys. [[Bavas Miyan]] is the father of Channapatna Toy, who sacrificed his life for channapatana toys. He adopted Japanese technology for toys making and helped the local artisans improve their art.<ref name="tt" /> 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.

== Manufacturing ==
The craft has diversified over time; in addition to the traditional ivory-wood, other woods—including [[para rubber tree|rubber]], [[sycamore]], [[Cedar wood|cedar]], [[pine]] and [[teak]]—are now used as well.<ref name="dh">A detailed summary of Channapatna toys is provided by {{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar292005/spt1.asp |author=Azmathulla Shariff |title=Toy town changes with new trends |work=Online Edition of The Deccan Herald, dated 2005-03-29 |publisher=2005, The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd. |access-date=2007-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070420034609/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar292005/spt1.asp |archive-date=2007-04-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Manufacturing]] stages include procuring the wood, seasoning the wood, cutting the wood into the desired shapes, pruning and carving the toys, applying the [[colour]]s and finally polishing the finished product. [[Vegetable]] [[dye]]s are used in the colouring process to ensure that the toys and dolls are safe for use by children.<ref name="tt" /> As of Oct 2011, has population of 71,902,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Channapatna City Municipal Council City Population Census 2011-2020 {{!}} Karnataka|url=http://www.channapatnacity.mrc.gov.in/|website=www.census2011.co.in|access-date=2020-05-16}}</ref> in which 254 are in home manufacturing units and 50 in small factories, were engaged in the making of these toys. The Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation (KHDC) provides assistance with marketing efforts. The oldest and most popular manufacturing unit Bharath Art and crafts help develop innovative products.<ref name="tt" />

== Growth ==
With no proper back up or marketing, the Channapatna toy industry faced a financial crunch for more than a decade and was almost on the verge of dying out.<ref name="dh" /> However, with the help of KHDC, the craft has been revived 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. The Government of Karnataka has also provided help by constructing a Lacquerware Craft Complex, which has a manufacturing centre with 32 turning [[lathe]] machines.<ref name="dh" /> Financial assistance to the artisans, with help from the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] Government and the Karnataka Government's ''Vishwa'' scheme has also been provided.

Many new companies and social enterprises have been reviving the Channapatna craft to suit modern tastes.<ref name="pavitrajayaraman">{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/zYEgmRno5tPeWYhSok8nJN/Channapatna-Karnataka--Back-in-the-game.html|title=Channapatna, Karnataka – Back in the game|author=Pavitra Jayaraman|work=livemint.com}}</ref> ''iFolk Channapatna toys and handicrafts'', a group formed by Bharath Art and crafts, promotes and supports lacquerware artisans to do innovation and modernization of their products.<ref name="dh" />

==See also==
*[[Bidriware]]
*[[Ilkal saree]]
*[[Kinnal Craft]]
*[[Mysore Agarbathi]]
*[[Mysore Sandalwood Oil]]
*[[Navalgund Durries]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
9. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/features/whats-making-channapatna-artisans-quit-their-craft-10674801.html
https://www.exchange4media.com/digital-news/from-google-webpage-to-e-commerce-the-digital-ambitions-of-a-channapatna-craftsman-94061.html

==External links==
*[https://artycraftz.com/ Marketplace for Channapatna Handicrafts]

{{Karnataka topics}}

[[Category:Culture of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Lacquerware]]
[[Category:Traditional toys]]
[[Category:Wooden toys]]
[[Category:Indian woodwork]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Karnataka]]

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Channapatna toys