What is Channaptna Toy Art? The amazing toys of Channapatna are made with vibrant wooden toys that are unique and can’t found anywhere else. The small village creates a lot of wooden toys that are so distinctive and display the unparalleled talent of the artisans.
The location is referred to as the (town of toys) or Gombegala Nagara. The Karnataka village of Channapatna is located in the Ramanagaram District. The city’s small-scale manufacturers produce excellent toys, which draw a lot of tourists. The town of Channapatna is a sure draw while traveling to Mysore. In the past, Channapatna was recognized as Chandapura.
History of Channaptna
History of Channapatna toys art: Tipu Sultan had persuaded the Persians to visit India and instruct the craftspeople in the craft of creating wooden toys. Bavas Miyan is regarded as the originator of the Channapatna toy and is renowned for his lifelong dedication to assisting local artists in the craft of toy production and introducing cutting-edge technology to Channapatna to improve the toys.
Art of Making
The toys are composed of wood, primarily ivory wood, which gives them a polished appearance by adding colors and other decorative elements. One may see the countless wooden toys on exhibition all along the crossroads shops in the Channapatna lanes. Huge banners displaying the local talent are raised.
These small-scale companies place a premium on style and originality. These exquisite toys are made by talented artists in their cramped studios. Contrary to toys sold in stores, Channapatna parts are made of wood and veggie dyes and are healthy to use.
The Dhoodi Wood, which is exactly white in color and simple to carve out the designs, was used for the woodwork, which was tinted using veggie dyes. To polish the toys’ coating, grass with a strong abrasive property is used. As a result, the toys are fully eco-friendly.
Toys in the Market
In addition to dolls and horsemen, Channapatna toy stores also sell puzzles and activities that require mathematical reasoning. Utilizing the particularly created soft wooden toys for math is fairly difficult.
Even large IT firms like Microsoft have purchased a variety of toys as a part of a worldwide effort to assist educate poor kids. These small-scale businesses also produce a variety of toys that move, including rocking horses, bunnies, train engines, bikes, and cars.
The stores in the village are also decorated with a variety of showpieces, including antique cars, beaded curtains, pen holders, shells, candle stands, etc.
Growth of the Toy Industry
Growth of the toy industry: The entry of Chinese toys into the market resulted in the elimination of these fascinating toys. The artisans created miniature prototypes with the assistance of the Karnataka Handicraft Corporation, which were sold in the larger markets. The modest hamlet of Channapatana received a lot of attention thanks to these designs. These days, more and more businesses are looking for the best, safest toys the city has to offer.
The earliest Varadaraja temple is located in Channaptna. The Vijayanagara empire is represented in architecture. Several temples in the city were also constructed in the Mysore architectural style. Hyder Ali had a lot of monuments built at Channapatana as well.
Types of Channaptna Toy Art
There are many different shapes and sizes of toys. The present generation of business owners is inventing to satisfy market demands, particularly those who operate small businesses. There are many more delicately carved and ornamental things besides the well-known wooden rocking horses, colorful home items, and colorful toys.
A unique wooden cup used in the kitchen that is well known for its therapeutic qualities is also a great help to diabetics since it is supposed to lower blood sugar levels when water is kept and eaten in it. As one drives from Ramanagaram to Mandya through Channapatna, the shelving of showrooms are adorned with brown elephants of different sized as well as a great deal of other machine and handmade things.
As they manage wood and machines to create incredible toys, they exhibit a special enthusiasm for their work. If the toy is manufactured by hand or by machine, they take great care in crafting every component.
Channaptna Toy Artists
The artists of Channapatna toys art, also referred to as the (land of toys) are counting on the top quality of their creations to rekindle enthusiasm in their more than two hundred years old forms of art both in India and abroad. They are granted exclusive rights to market their toys under the Channapatna brand. Channapatna handicrafts are displayed in homes all over the world and were also given to the former American President (Barack Obama) on his trip to India.
The desire for Channapatna toys in India, together with their excellent quality and secure construction, have allowed them to fend off competition from these other types of toys and inadequate imitations, particularly from China, even as ambitious entrepreneur-manufacturers work to revitalize the export industry.
The majority of Channapatna toys are produced from (soft) ivory hardwood, and artisans utilize their own non-toxic, natural dyes in both human and automated production. As a result, the toys are guaranteed to be secure for kids of all ages. A little town called Channapatna is located halfway around Bengaluru which was originally the royal city of Mysuru. Channapatna can be more accurately referred to as the (land of woodcraft) according to local business owners and artists who are involved in creating these distinctive and eco-friendly toys.
Mr. B. Venkatesh
These amazing toys are manufactured in Sri Beereshwara Arts and Crafts, a small business owned by Mr. B. Venkatesh. He states, “If we go back in Channapatna’s past, we will see that its craftspeople have a long history of involvement with woodcraft. The circular handles of Channapatna wooden sticks once make them a status symbol among some of the elderly aristocracy, and eventually, Channapatna umbrella grips were distinctive. Designing safe, non-toxic toys is a special form of art that we are still doing today.”
Ms. Uma
She works at home as a toy maker in Neelasandra, where the business is a valuable extra income source and allows her properly manage her time. She explains, “Working from home is convenient for me. I begin at about 9 in the morning and work until 3 in the afternoon.
My family tried to discourage me from learning this art, but I studied up to 10th standard and learned it from them. I began learning how to make toys when I was in eighth grade, and I’ve been doing it ever since. I’ve never had the choice of working on machinery or hand tools since I don’t understand how to use them. It would have been quite difficult for me to have to leave early and return in the evenings if I were working another job. No explicit incentives have been provided by the government for women working in this field.”
Syed Bawa Saheb Miyan
He played a significant role in both popularizing Channapatna and expanding production. Although some have attempted to draw a connection between Tipu Sultan and Bawas Miyan, doing so historically has been impossible given that Tipu Sultan passed away in 1799, while Bawas Miyan lived in the early twentieth century. Bawas Miyan visited Japan in 1905 and 1910 to learn about the lacquer and toy-making processes. Many people in the neighborhood think Bawas Miyan and his son-in-law were substantially in charge of increasing the region’s handicraft industry.
Tipu Sultan Make these Toys Popular
He played a significant role in both popularizing Channapatna and expanding production. Although some have attempted to draw a connection between Tipu Sultan and Bawas Miyan, doing so historically has been impossible given that Tipu Sultan passed away in 1799, while Bawas Miyan lived in the early twentieth century. Bawas Miyan visited Japan in 1905 and 1910 to learn about the lacquer and toy-making processes. Many people in the neighborhood think Bawas Miyan and his son-in-law were substantially in charge of increasing the region’s handicraft industry.
Different persons in Channapatna and Srirangapatna artists, traders, forefathers of toy-making families, experts, and locals gave various viewpoints on how Tipu Sultan had promoted the Channapatna handcraft. Others contend that this is untrue and that Tipu Sultan pushed Persia traders to purchase the toys, eventually establishing an export industry for the Channapatna artists.
Some people hold the opinion that Tipu Sultan brought artisans from Persia to instruct the Channapatna craftspeople. The seventh-generation grandson of Tipu Sultan believes that Tipu Sultan “was a great innovator” who promoted global trade for the good of his realm.
Revival of Channaptna Toy Art
Art Resurrection: Mr. Mansoor Ali, who already works in Bengaluru, has carefully researched Tipu Sultan and his period. These toys were fashioned by the people using their ability and labor. Tipu was a tremendous innovator, and Channapatna toys are a living example of his administrative creativity.
By offering 27 to 32 acres of land where roughly 270 to 300 craftspeople worked, he promoted the handcraft industry. In discussion with his minister and administration Dewan Poorniah Pandit, Tipu Sultan made this choice. The reason there is a Persian connection is that he promoted toy exports to Persia as well as Egypt, Turkey, Iran, China, and very few other nations.
For Tipu’s empire, the export of toys was a significant source of income, according to Mr. Mansoor Ali. The Karnataka government reports that the state still receives Rs. 2k crore in revenue each year from crafts and toys. This proves that Tipu Sultan’s economic innovation is still relevant today. Many foreign traders, notably those from Persia, traveled to Srirangapatna. He also actively promoted the export of local goods, primarily Channapatna toys.
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