Channapatna Lacquer Wooden Toy Ramanagara Karnataka

Channapatna toys are brightly coloured turned wooden toys and dolls produced in Channapatna town of Ramanagara district, Karnataka, using ivory wood (Wrightia tinctoria, locally called aale mara) turned on hand-powered or motorised lathes and finished with lac (natural resin)-based colours in layers that create a smooth, safe, food-grade surface finish. The craft was established under Tipu Sultan's patronage through Persian craftsmen he invited, producing a distinctive hybrid style with Persian turning technique applied to local wood and lac materials. Traditional Channapatna toys include spinning tops, rattles, dolls, animals, and decorative objects in bold primary colours. The craft has GI protection. Over 5,000 artisans in 300+ small workshops in Channapatna produce toys exported to 30+ countries and sold through national retail chains including Fabindia and state emporiums. Karnataka Udyoga Mitra and the Craft Development Institute provide skill training and export facilitation. The toys are known as Gombegala Ooru (town of dolls).