Channapatna Lacquerware Toys Karnataka

Channapatna, a town in Ramanagara district of Karnataka, is famous for its brightly painted wooden toys and lacquerware, earning the nickname Gombegala Ooru (Town of Toys). Ivory wood (Wrightia tinctoria, known locally as Aale mara) is turned on a simple lathe, and natural lac is applied to the spinning wood to create a smooth, brilliantly coloured surface in red, yellow, blue, and green. The craft was introduced under Tipu Sultan in the 18th century by Persian craftsmen. No brushes are used — colours are applied as the lathe spins, creating the distinctive solid layered finish. Products include toys, dolls, pen stands, bowls, and earrings. Channapatna toys are GI-certified and have been promoted globally by the Karnataka government and KVIC. An artisan cluster of over 5,000 families sustains the craft.