The story
Toy making in Channapatna dates back to the 18th century, when Tipu Sultan brought artisans from Persia to train local craftsmen. Artisans turn the soft local wood called aale mara (ivory wood) on lathes and colour it with natural lac dyes. The town became known as the toy town of Karnataka. Channapatna Toys and Dolls received a GI tag in 2005.
In numbers
A 2021 study puts the number of artisans in Channapatna at about 4,000, working out of 250 homes and 50 small manufacturing units.
Channapatna's traditional artisans toy with modernity (Mongabay India) · 2024
GI tag
- Channapatna Toys & DollsApplication no. GI application no. 23Registration details of Geographical Indications (IP India GI Registry)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Design and sell safe, natural-dye educational toys online
- Supply corporate gifts and return gifts
- Job-work turning for larger toy brands
- Run craft tourism workshops for visitors
Problems the cluster faces
- Cheap plastic and imported toys
- Shortage of aale mara wood
- Middlemen take a large share
- Low daily earnings for artisans
Businesses to start here
Wooden Toy Making (Lacquer Turned Toys) →Wooden Toys and Decorative Pieces →Local Handicraft and Toy Making School →Lac Production →