Channapatna Ivory Wood Lacquer Toy Tradition

Channapatna in Ramanagara district of Karnataka is known as the toy-town of India (Gombegala Ooru). The craft uses ivory wood (Wrightia tinctoria, called aale mara in Kannada) for its fine grain and non-toxic properties, turned on hand or foot-operated lathes. Lac sticks of different colours are held against the spinning wood to coat it by frictional heat — no brushes are used. Alternating colours produce striped and banded patterns as the artisan layers different lac sticks. The toys — balls, tops, dolls, vehicles, kitchen sets — are non-toxic and safe for infants. Channapatna received GI certification and is compliant with European toy safety standard EN 71. Tipu Sultan patronised this craft in the 18th century. About 5000 artisan families work in the Channapatna cluster. Export to 25 countries through the Channapatna Toy Cluster organisation.