Wooden toys and Handicrafts

Wooden toys and Handicrafts that are manufactured in the town of Channapatna in the Karnataka state, India. This traditional craft is protected as a geographical indication (GI) under the World Trade Organization, administered by the Government of Karnataka.[1] As a result of the popularity of these toys, Channapatna is known as the (toy-town) of Karnataka. [2] Traditionally, the work involved lacquering the wood of the Wrightia tinctoria tree, [3] colloquially called Aale mara (ivory-wood), Whitewood, Rose wood, Seasam wood, and Teak wood.

MANUFACTURING: The craft has diversified over time; in addition to the traditional ivory-wood, other woods—including rubber, sycamore, cedar, pine and teak—are now used as well.[7] Manufacturing stages include procuring the wood, seasoning the wood, cutting the wood into the desired shapes, pruning and carving the toys, applying the colours and finally polishing the finished product. Vegetable dyes are used in the colouring process to ensure that the toys and dolls are safe for use by children.