Channapatna Lacquerware Toy Making of Karnataka

Channapatna toys are lacquer-turned wooden toys produced in Channapatna town in Ramanagara district of Karnataka, known internationally as the toy town of India. The craft uses ivory wood (Wrightia tinctoria) and rosewood turned on a hand-operated lathe while the artisan applies lac dye sticks directly to the spinning wood. Repeated layers build up a smooth, glossy surface in red, yellow, green, or black lac. The toys are non-toxic, making them safe for infants — a key factor in their export to Europe and Japan. Traditional products include interlocking spheres, animals, dolls, stacking toys, and rattles. Hyder Ali and later Tipu Sultan brought Persian craftsmen to establish the Channapatna craft in the 18th century. GI status awarded. Over 5,000 artisan families work in the cluster. The Karnataka Khadi Gramodyog Federation and KSSIDC provide support. UNESCO recognises Channapatna as a GI product of global significance.