India’s rich tradition of wooden toy-making reflects diverse cultural heritage and artisanal craftsmanship. These toys often depict the lives of people, animals, gods, goddesses, and mythological stories from epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Toy making is a primary occupation for many artisans in major toy-making hubs. The manufacturing of wooden toys typically involves using soft to moderately hard wood species, which are easier to carve into intricate designs. However, this traditional industry faces several challenges, including the unavailability of raw materials, competition with plastic toys, low market value, the unorganized sector, and reliance on hand tools. These challenges are driving many artisans to migrate to cities in search of better livelihood opportunities.
This blog explores prominent wooden toy-making centers in India and the technologies used in the craft, with a particular focus on significant tree species, the challenges faced by artisans, and potential afforestation methods to sustain this cultural tradition.
Historical Overview of Wooden Toy Making
Wooden toys have a long and rich history. The art of making wooden toys originated in Egypt, where children played with wooden dolls, animals, and small chariots. Over a period, wooden toys evolved and spread all over the world, becoming a part of childhood play in cultures around the globe. In ancient Greece, wooden horses and chariots were popular, while in China, children played with wooden tops and yo-yos. Earlier wood toys were simple in design, but they provided children’s imagination and explored the world around them. Later, wooden toys became symbols of status and wealth, rich people, and at the same time became part of childhood education. The book “De Mensurabili” was written by a German monk named Johannes de Garlandia, and it contains instructions for making wooden toys called “Monochords,” which are used to teach children about music and sound.
In India, wooden toys tell the story of the rich culture and its legacy. Toy-making dates back to 5000 years ago. Small carts and Dancing Girl were also found in Mohenjodaro and Harappan excavations.
The central part of this craft is selecting specific tree species, whose wood properties influence the quality and uniqueness of the toys.
Key tree species in Indian Wooden Toy Crafting
- Wrightia tinctoria (Ivory wood or Aale Mara): This tree is predominantly used in Channapatna toys. The wood is soft and ideal for intricate carvings and lacquerings. Small grain and smooth texture make it a preferred choice for toy making. This wood is also used to manufacture the famous Ettikoppa toys from Andhra Pradesh.
- Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham): Wood is preferred in making toys in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh due to its durability and workability. Wood contributes to the longevity and appeal of the toys. These woodcraft toys represent deities, animals, and human figures. Their availability and durability make them perfect trees for detailed craftsmanship.
- Mangifera indica (Mango wood): The Chitrakara community in Sawantwadi, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, utilizes Mango wood to manufacture traditional toys and Ganjifa playing cards. The tree’s workability makes it suitable for manufacturing the famous Santaadi toys, which are GI-tagged.
- Shamli, Shaban, and Ghamandi Woods: artisans in Subarnapur, Odisha, utilize these local woods to produce a variety of traditional wooden toys, each chosen for specific qualities that enhance the final product.
- Walnut Wood: Walnut wood carving is a traditional art form practiced in Jammu and Kashmir. The wood is hard and durable, and its complex grain and uniform texture make it ideal for fine and detailed work during carving. The abundance of this tree species gave birth to this art form.
- Givotia rottleriformis (White Sander): Used in Ettikoppa, Kondapalli, Nirmal, and Kinnal craft.
- Dalbergia latifolia (Doodhia Wood): Dhoodia wood is soft and easy to shape. This wood is used for making beautiful wooden toys in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Dhoodia wood allows intricate detailing and is often lacquered to increase durability.
Regional Variations in Wooden Toy-Making
| State | Species | Famous toy-making centres |
| Andhra Pradesh | Givotia rottleriformis ( White Sander wood ) | Ettikoppa |
| Kondalpalli | ||
| Nirmal | ||
| Wrightia tinctoria ( Ivory wood or Aale mara ) | Ettikoppa | |
| Karnataka | Wrightia tinctoria (Ivory wood or Aale mara), Rosewood, Sandalwood, etc | Channapatna |
| Givotia rottleriformis ( White Sander wood ) | Kinnal | |
| Maharashtra | Mangifera indica (Mango wood ) | Sawantwadi, Sindhudurg (Chitrakara community) |
| Uttar Pradesh | Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham) | Varanasi |
| Kashmir | Juglans regia (Walnut tree) | Kashmir |
| Odisha | Shamli, Shavan, and Ghamandi, | Subarnapur |
| Rajasthan | Dalbergia latifolia (Doodhia Wood ) | Udaipur |
Channapatna Toys (Karnataka): Channapatna is a small town in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka locally known as Gombegala Ooru or toy town for a traditional form of toy making dating back to the 18th century, practiced by local artisans and patronage from Tippu Sultan, the historic ruler of Mysore. Traditionally, the work involved lacquering the wood of the Wrightia tinctoria tree, locally known as Aale mara. This ivory wood is the main wood used along with the occasional use of rosewood and sandalwood. Now, other woods are also used, including rubber, sycamore, cedar, pine, and teak. The specialty of Channapatna toys is the eco-friendly nature of its manufacturing. The toys are made from ivory wood from managed forests and finished with natural and non-toxic dyes. These are child-friendly due to the use of vegetable dyes.
Kinnala Toys (Karnataka): Kinnala wooden toys originated from a small village Kinhal in the Koppal district of Karnataka. The kings of the Vijayanagara empire patronized the art form which dates back nearly 700 years. The famous carving of the Hampi chariot and mural painting in the Pampapateshwara temple are examples of Kinnala artisans’ carving skills. The artisans of Kinnala art are known as Chitragars, and they have passed on their knowledge to current generations. They create idols of gods, animals, and vegetables with vibrant colors and glossy finish. The toys are made from lightweight woods like Givotia rottleriformis. The tamarind seeds and pebbles are used for joining the various parts of the toys.
Kondapalli Toys (Andhra Pradesh): The beautiful toys are manufactured from Tella Poniki (White Sander wood), a softwood found in nearby Kondapalli Hills. These toys are a cultural legacy of Kondapalli, a village from Andhra Pradesh. The skilled artisans are believed to be the descendants of Multharishi who learned the art of making toys directly from Lord Shiva. They use natural dyes for coloring dolls. Toys usually represent the lives of the local people and Hindu deities. These toys are waterproof due to the coating of linseed oil that covers them.
Etikoppaka Toys (Andhra Pradesh): Ettikoppa toys are traditional wooden toys made by the craftsmen of Ettikoppa village from Andhra Pradesh. These toys are famous due to the eco-friendly nature of manufacturing and their rounded edges. Due to their eco-conscious manufacturing, use of natural color, precise and detailed design, cultural heritage, and artistic prowess of the Ettikoppa community, they received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017. The wood used to make this toy is the ankudu tree ( Wrightia tinctoria). It is locally available, soft, and lightweight. These key qualities of wood aid in its workability and durability, easy to work.
Nirmal Toys ( Telangana): These finely carved wooden toys are made in the Nirmal district of Telangana. The origin of Nirmal Toys dates back to the Kakatiya era and the motifs used in Nirmal Toys are derived from floral designs and frescoes of Ajanta and Ellora art forms and Mughal miniatures. The toys are made from softwood called “ Tella Poniki” or white sanders and attractive paintings. Naqquasha artisans who migrated from Rajasthan produce these toys and use Duco paintings which make them more attractive. Nirmal Toys are also painted in enamel colors, which bring a unique identity to them.
Varanasi Wooden Toys ( Uttar Pradesh ): Earlier, this Geographical Indication (GI) tagged beautiful wooden toys from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, which were patronized by the Mughal and British. Woods were sourced from the local forests of Chitrakoot and Sonbhadra. Keira ( Coraiya) wood from Bihar was used earlier, but after the government banned the cutting of Keria trees. The craft shifted to using Eucalyptus wood, now this is the most preferred tree for making these wooden toys. The toys are created with natural wood veins, made without any joints, attractive, and children-friendly usage.
Sawantwadi Wooden Toys (Maharashtra): A place from Maharashtra is well known for traditional wooden crafts from mango trees. This craft is traditionally made by the Chigari or Chitrakar community who migrated from Karwada and settled in Sawantwadi. These toys are manufactured from flat-shaped solid wood of either Mango wood. Generally, Mango wood is the preferred wood for making these toys, making bullock carts and horses. The craftsmen use oil-based colors. Different shades of colors with wood primer and later used for coloring finished toys. Wooden fruits, bullock carts, and various animals are some of the well-known toys from Sawantwadi.
Walnut wood carving of Jammu & Kashmir:
It is a traditional carving work manufactured in Jammu & Kashmir which is an abode of the abundance of walnut trees. Recently, this wooden carving art has had a geographical indication ( GI). It is an ornamental and delicate craft process that is unique to this region due to the concentration of walnut trees. Jammu & Kashmir is one of the few places where walnut trees are still available. The wood is hard and durable, its compact grain and uniform texture aid in fine and detailed work during carving. Generally, the wood of the trunk or root is used for carving. The wood from the trunk is lighter in color, whereas the root wood is black and has more pronounced grains. There are five styles of woodcarving, undercut (Khokerdar), Open or Lattice work (Jalidahr), Deep carving (Vaboraveth), semi-carving (Padri) & Shallow carving (Sadikaam).
Subarnapur Toys (Odisha): The toys from Odisha are a very ancient and traditional art form of the state. Still, in most Jagannath temples the idol made from wood is kept. Artisans craft a variety of traditional wooden toys using local woods like shamli, shavan, and ghamandi, each selected for its specific properties to enhance the toys’ quality. Earlier, the colors derived from fruits and vegetables were used, which itself is an art to extract colors and mix them. The knowledge of extraction and mixing of colors is passed from generation to generation. Now, the toys are colored with available watercolors, which need to be protected from water and humidity otherwise, they can easily get spoiled. Different types of toys are made such as horses and elephants in different poses. The uniqueness of these toys is that all the artifacts are made out of a single block of wood, only in cases where wheels need to be attached separately, then separate pieces of wood are used.
Udaipur Wooden Toys ( Rajasthan): Udaipur is a big center for wooden toys. These toys are made from locally sourced doodhia wood, which is soft, lightweight, and easy to shape. The artisans are specialized in manufacturing various toys including carts, animals, kitchen sets, vehicles, etc. which reflects local craftsmanship and their creativity. Dhoodia wood allows intricate detailing and is often lacquered to increase durability and aesthetic appeal.
Sustainability and Challenges
- The reliance on specific tree species underscores the importance of sustainable forestry practices.
- Overexploitation can lead to scarcity, threatening both the environment and the livelihoods of artisans.
Efforts are being made to promote sustainable harvesting and reforestation to ensure the continuity of this traditional craft.
Conclusion
Traditional wooden toy-making in India is an excellent example of the country’s rich cultural heritage and artisanal expertise. The careful selection of tree species plays a significant role in the creation of these toys, each wood type contributing unique characteristics that define the regional styles. Preserving these traditions requires a commitment to sustainable practices, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and create these timeless pieces of art.
