Channapatna Toys and Dolls are lacquerware products made out of wood and are manufactured in Channapatna, near Bengaluru. As a result of the popularity of these toys, Channapatna is known as the Gombegala Ooru (toy-town) of Karnataka
Channapatna Toys and Dolls are made from light wood which is soft and well suited to the running machine. The main raw material used for toys is hale wood. It is best suited for lacquering.
Image credit: channapatnatoys.co.in
Far from ordinary toys, the traditional handicraft dates back 200 years. It is said that the then ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, invited artists from Persia to train the local craftsmen in the art of wooden toy making. Ever since the families of this town have richly contributed to its development. This art was passed on to the next generations and, thus, has remained a household industry.
Channapatna toys are not only culturally unique but also eco-conscious in their making. The toys are made from ivory wood from managed forests and finished with eco-friendly, non-toxic dyes. The craft has diversified over time; in addition to the traditional ivory-wood, other woods—including rubber, sycamore, cedar, pine and teak—are now used as well.
Manufacturing stages include procuring the wood, seasoning the wood, cutting the wood into the desired shapes, pruning and carving the toys, applying the colours and finally polishing the finished product.
Channapatna toys are made from soft ivory wood or hale mara and then coated with lacquer which is made from vegetable dyes. These dyes are used in the colouring process to ensure that the toys and dolls are non-toxic and safe for use by children.
Each piece is done by hand with just a few tools or the lathe to assist the artisan. Some still continue working with a hand-operated lathe but since the advent of better electricity services, most have turned to using the mechanical lathe before applying the lacquer and going through other finishing processes by hand.
The wood is turned on the lathe to different shapes. While the wood is rotating on the lathe, lac in form of sticks in a variety of colours is held against the turning wood. The heat generated by the friction melts the lac and helps to apply the colours uniformly.
Thereafter palm leaf is used to give a glossy polish. The raw materials used in this craft are very inexpensive. In addition to wood, colours, sand papers, nails, oils etc are used. The equipment mainly used for this craft are lathe, chisel, sickle, hammer, saw, drill, shovels, cutting machine, drilling machine, belt etc.
GI Tag Registration Date : 30 January 2006
GI Tag Number : 23
Certificate Number : 22
Geographical Area : Karnataka
Special Cover Release Date : 21 January 2022
Cancellation : Bengaluru HPO 560 001
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : KTK/03/2022
Enlarged View of Illustration
Enlarged View of Cancellation
Back Side Scan
India Post has also issued a commemorative postage stamp carrying image of Channapatna Toys and Dolls. Details of the same is furnished below.
Postage Stamp Issued on 14 November 2010
India Post has also issued a Picture Post Card on Channapatna Toys and Dolls. Details of the same is furnished below.
Channapatna Toys and Crafts
Picture Post Card Issued on 01 October 2020
Cancelled at Bengaluru 560 001
Back Side Scan
There are few other special covers released by India Post on Channapatna Toys and Dolls. Details of the same is furnished below. (Not an exhaustive list, but only items from my collection)
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