Channapatna Toys: From Tipu to the 21st century

(Image Source: Deepsan Live Journal)

The old world has not able to with stand the onslaught of the modern world. In the era of GI Joe and Barbie a humble wooden toy stands witness to the paradigm shift that has occurred in the Global Economy.

Channapatna Toys manufactured at Channapatna about 75 Kilometers from Bangalore were once the pride of every child in the south Indian house hold. Made out of rosewood and sandalwood, the toys are actually an ecofriendly solution. Also as they are painted using vegetable dyes they are safe for children as well. One has to just look back at incidence of lead based paints used in the toys which was in news a couple of years ago to realize the utilitarian nature of the channapatna toys.

Channapatna toys were created due to the efforts of Tipu Sultan in the late 18th Century. It is said that the Sultan invited artisans from Persia (present day Iran) who came to Mysore and taught the local artisans the art of making the wooden toys. The tradition continued till modern times when the toys fell out of favor with the modern times.

Currently there are about 6,000 artisans working in 250 home works and 50 odd small factories making these toys. They now have had the support of the Karnataka government and the KHDC now actively supports the marketing of these toys. Also the recent Geographic Indicator (GI) status to the Channapatna Toys have added further joy to the artisans. So under WTO norms these toys cannot be copied elsewhere.
Recently I bought a series of toys for my 11 month old and she is very excited to have them. Some of the ingenuity especially in designing the caterpillar (Image below) is brilliant.

When I ask established toy shores about the availability of the toys, they mostly reply in negative. A channapatna wooden walker scientifically is the best to help the child engage in learning how to walk, but unfortunately have no takers in the modern retail format. I finally had to order one through a colleague of mine who hailed from Mysore.

So what can be done to support this iconic brand which owes its origins to one of he most dynamic rulers of modern India.

Firstly I think the industry needs a boost and that involves more of us buying the toys from the artisans themselves. Many of us in Bangalore make regular trips to Mysore, all it takes is a brief stopover at Channapatna.

Secondly these toys should be made an integral part of gifting both for birthdays and other occasions for children. Also it would make sense to make children aware of the history of the toys and its association with the Sultan.

Thirdly repeatedly ask local toy shops for the toys. This was one tactic employed very effectively by Karsan Bhai Patel of Nirma. He employed young college students who used to walk into to shops and ask for Nirma, the strategy worked as retailers started stalking up the brand.

Finally please include the toys while giving donations to all orphanages as the toys are very sturdy and don’t cause a bomb. This way we would be serving two purposes encouraging the artisans and brining joy to the little kids.

In a country where almost one child is born every two seconds, I find it hard to imagine that a local toy industry is struggling and needs government support. It is in a way our job to ensure that local industries are supported lest we face the same challenge tomorrow that the west is facing today.