Channapatna Toys and Handicrafts

Channapatna is a rural area in the outskirts of Bangalore, known as Gombegala Ooru (toy-town) of Karnataka and famous for handmade lacquer wooden toys.

Traditionally ivory-wood is used in making these crafts. Slowly artisans started using the other woods such as teak, pine, rubber, and cedar. For colouring purpose, mix of non-toxic vegetable dyes and food grade pigments are used.

The origin of these handicrafts can be dated back to the period of Tipu Sultan. He invited artisans from the Persia to train the local artisans in making of these wooden toys.

The wooden toys are protected by a geographical indication (GI) tag under the World Trade Organisation.

In recent years, the tradition of these handicraft making is facing a crisis situation as most of the second and third generation artisans are migrating to urban areas for better prospects.