Between the bustling cities of Bangalore and Mysore,
in the Ramanagara district nestles a small town, "Gombegala Nagara"
or "Gombegala Ooru" meaning; a land of toys. The name may not ring
the bell for some, but most of us would have seen the colorful, handmade
lacquer wooden toys; the reason for which the town derived its name and is
famous for the world over.
This charming little town of Channapatna is the birthplace of a more than 200-year-old tradition of the environment-friendly, precious craft of Channapatna toy making. The beauty of Channapatna toys lies in being lightweight yet strong, their colors, simplicity of the form, smooth texture, curved contours, the inherent nature of "learn with fun" concepts, and exquisite craftsmanship.
The moment one enters Gombegala town, one can't help noticing charming little toy-making units confined within homes. Channapatna toy-making craft has a rich history that goes back centuries. The most alluring part of this craft is that it is a small-scale industry that involves generations of knowledge, unique skill sets, and special techniques. The Channapatana toys have made a distinct mark in international markets and enjoy protection under Geographical Indication (GI).
The process of making Channapatna toys:
The Channapatna toy-making process is time and labor-intensive work.
These days the toys are made with woods like sycamore, cedar, pine,
teak, and rubber albeit, the soft ivory wood remains the preferred material for
the toys. This handcrafted toy-making process is elaborate and takes months from start to finish. It
involves seasoning (which usually takes two or three months), cutting, carving
(on a lathe, buffed with sandpaper or cactus leaf to obtain a smooth finish),
and applying lacquer/color. The artisans use vegetable dyes on the toys to
ensure they are safe for use by the children. Artisans of both manual and
mechanical units make non-toxic, non-chemical environment-friendly colors.
The artisans and entrepreneurs associated with the Channapatna toys craft feel the need for the town to be recognized for its woodcraft and not just wooden toys. According to them, the history of Channapatna dates back to time immemorial! Channapatna was known for a range of wooden artifacts. Things for everyday use enjoyed a place of pride among the elite class. The wooden walking sticks with elegant handles and the umbrellas with curved handles were considered a symbol of prestige and royalty.
For the last few years, the Channapatna toy-making industry has suffered heavily. With the advent of technology and markets, flooding with cheap, machine-made Chinese toy options, demand for this craft went on a steady decline, affecting the artisans depending solely on this craft. There were about 20,000 artisans involved with this craft two decades back. But with the slump in demand, most artisans left the industry and took up other employment options for survival.
Another crucial aspect affecting this industry is better employment options in the nearby cities. Being situated near two major cities of the state, artisans easily find better opportunities with better earnings. They are unwilling to take any chances by sticking to the craft that can’t guarantee their safe future. Hence the young generation of craftsmen families loathes entering this industry owing to its dwindling fate.
While a few enterprising entrepreneur-manufacturers are working towards withstanding competition and reviving the export market, banking on superior quality, safe construction, and material, there is a need for greater support from the state and central government. The craftsmen are also trying to adapt to the market trends by making artifacts and jewelry catering to contemporary demands.
Many traditional crafts have suffered due to a lack of support and viability. If we don't understand the value of this beautiful craft and encourage it, there is a danger of the art form becoming extinct like so many others that we have already lost.
