Channapatna Toys : Afganishtan
Channapatna toys have now become part of children’s academic activities in Afghanistan.
- Channapatna Toys are a particular form of wooden toys and dolls that are manufactured in the town of Channapatna in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka.
- Channapatna is also known as Gombegala Ooru (toy-town).
- The history of Channapatna toys can be traced back to Tipu Sultan’s reign as the former ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in the 18th century.
- Tipu Sultan was so impressed with the craftsmanship of Persian artisans that he invited them to train local craftsmen in toy-making.
- This marked the beginning of the Channapatna toy industry, which has ever since flourished.
- Most of these toys are handmade using traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation, ensuring that each piece is unique.
- They are mostly made of Ivory Wood sourced from nearby forests. However, nowadays, sandalwood and mango wood are also used.
- They are also painted in organic colours extracted from vegetables and plants and natural dyes, making the Channapatna Toys 100% chemical-free.
- Their shapes are mostly round and cubes with blunt edges, so they are completely safe for kids.
- They received the geographical indication (GI) tag in 2005.
