Lac Turned Wood Toys and Utensils of Chunar

Chunar in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh is a traditional centre of lac-turned wood craft, producing brightly lacquered toys, marriage utensils (singhasan, lota, pandan), and decorative items for north Indian wedding rituals. The craft is practised by the Badhai (carpenter) and Nai communities. A lathe (chakra) is used to spin soft wood (sheesham, mango, or local softwoods) while the artisan applies coloured lac sticks directly to the spinning wood surface — the friction melts the lac which spreads evenly. Layer upon layer of coloured lac creates multicoloured striped patterns. The entire process is done by hand and foot-operated lathe with no electricity. Traditional items include the pandan (betel leaf box) and singhasan (small ritual throne) used in north Indian Hindu weddings. Chunar lac craft received GI certification. Mirzapur District Industries Centre supports the artisan cluster. About 500 families depend on the craft.