Channapatna toys gain in popularity after Barack Obama visit

Sales booster

The indigenous Channapatna toys that have made a global mark have suffered under tough competition from their foreign made plastic counterparts in the recent years. But in the last two months they have gained sudden popularity and business is soaring.

While manufacturers and sellers attribute this demand to the hype created when Channapatna toys were gifted to the US President Barack Obama, the need for trained artisans has also increased.

Shiva Kumar, a seller from Priya Handlooms, said, “Rates escalated mainly because of the media hype in the recent weeks when the toys were gifted to Obama. The number of customers at the stores has increased after news spread that Obama was taking back toys made by local artisans for his daughters.

Sales have increased by about 20 per cent for retailers and wholesalers. Some buyers also want the toys packed so that they can be couriered to their relatives abroad or to other Indian cities.”

Niranjan L, a seller at the Meghana toy shop in Channapatna, said, “When compared to the locals, foreigners and tourists purchase these toys more. On an average, we would not sell more than 100 pieces a day. But in the last two months the sales have escalated and since there is a shortage in supply from the artisans, the cost has escalated by 20-22 per cent.”

“Artisans who used to make these toys have gradually shifted to other streams for better prospects. The children of many artisans now work in private and government firms and have not followed the legacy of their fathers. This is because the business was gradually dying. But since the last few weeks, the demand from buyers has increased but the number of artisans making the toys is less. This is why the rates have increased,” said Shankar, a manufacturer.

Currently the demand is higher for doll sets, show pieces, jewellery, pain relieving
acupressure sets, key chains, kitchenware, incense stick holders, wall hangings, rocking horses and Tanjore dolls.

Earlier the demand was for only educational toys from Montessori schools.
“If Obama's children and his home can have Channapatna toys and artefacts, why shouldn't our children have them. I have also learnt that these toys are made of vegetable colours and light wood which is safe,” said Akruthi B, a native of Pune who was on a holiday, heading to Kodagu via Channapatna.

Legacy in wood

Channapatna is famous for its wooden toys lacquered in vegetable colours. Though these toys are usually made of ivory wood, occasionally rose wood and sandalwood are also used. The traditional handicraft has earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, under the World Trade Organisation and Chennapatna, where these toys are made is fondly known as the Toy Town (Gombegala Ooru) of Karnataka.