Channapatna Toys - The Story of Karnataka's Most Famous Wooden Artefacts

Toystory comes to life at the “Town of Toys” in the outskirts of Bengaluru. Known as the land of toys for centuries now, Channapatna manufactures and sells intricate art pieces and wooden dolls. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) also recognises this Kannada town as a Geographical Indication.

What Makes Channapatna Toys Unique

Channapatna toys add a contemporary appeal to the purchaser's environment, beautifying the interiors and decor of their homes. Flexible forms and dazzling colours add to the versatility of these wooden carvings and sculptures.
Hanging wooden carvings would splash a bit of antiquity into the buyer's home. These toys are a great indulgence for children during their play time.

Where Can You Find Them - Availability of Channapatna Toys

Channapatna toys are pretty much everywhere. You could grab your favourites from streets or vendor stores.

Advantages of Buying A Channapatna Toy

1. Catchy models and affordable rates.
2. Harmless and environmentally safe.
3. Long-term durability compared to plastic toys.

The Town of Toys - Gombegala Ooru

Gombegala Ooru is a locally popularly town known for business since the Tipu Sultan era. The handworks consist of beautiful wooden products shaped like toys, puzzles, keychains, wall hangings and other decorative art pieces including kitchenware. Initially, ivory-wood was used to make these products. Gombegala Ooru Today Gradually, with the evolution of the toy business, creativity expanded far and wide. Today, rubber, teak, rosewood, sandalwood, cedar and other kinds of wood are used in the manufacture of these intricate artefacts.

Channapatna Goes Online

Increasing toy popularity since 2004, has led to online sales of these beautiful dolls online. Many popular websites and e-commerce sites that have been selling toys in general, exclusively auction Channapatna toys as well. However, nothing matches the glory of visiting the stores in person and eyeing these products.

Evolution in Wood - History of the Channapatna toys

Initiated by Tipu Sultan in the 18th century, the Channapatna toys and artisan is a two-century-old industry. Persian artsmen were invited to impart this unique art form to the locals. Ivory wood known as Aale Mara was initially used was used in making these toys for nearly a century. Eventually, sandalwood, rosewood, teak, rubber and other forms of wood were used. Basing the toy manufacturing on Japanese technology, Bavas Miyan, the father of Channapatna Toys, dedicated time in learning and training interested artisans.

Toy Story - How Are They Made?

The interesting fact about the Channapatna toy business is that it is not a large-scale business. A small-scale business, the industry comprised of professional women and men carving out these gorgeous models in the vicinity of their homes.

Get That Wood
The first stage of toy making is finding the right and best kind of wood. Woods like pine, sandalwood, ivory-wood and teak are hunted down from all over the state.

Wooden Sun Bathe 
Further on, the wood is seasoned and air-dried to reduce the moisture content; this process increases durability.

Make and Mould
The wood is then cut into desired shapes and sizes and later carved to perfection. Earlier, this was a manual process; today, machines do the tough work.

Foolproof Sifting
The semi-finished product is checked for tiny protruding pieces that are smoothened out using sandpaper. The shaped artefact is further lacquered for a polished and glossy appearance.

Paint The World 
The art pieces are then painted with vibrant natural dyes such as turmeric for yellow, Kumkum powder for red and other vegetable dyes to match required colours. Natural colours make the product eco-friendly, non-toxic and safe for children to play.

Keeping the Art Alive