Traditional Toys of India

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By Tuba Ali

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Barbies, Toy trains, Legos- you name it, a modern kid has it. They have hundreds of options for toys! When I was a kid, I always went crazy for dolls and cars. Don't all kids love them? Well, not all, but we definitely loved those flamboyant, commercialised toys as kids. One thing we never realised is that we live in a country that is culturally rich and has a deep history in toy making.  We are talking about Traditional Indian toys; you may have never heard of them but we have plenty!! That’s not it, the history of toy-making in India goes back centuries, and traditional Indian toys are as time-honoured as the Indus Valley civilisation. These toys hold great significance in today's world - they give us a glimpse into our ancestral traditions and customs. India boasts of its rich and diverse culture, each region has incredible customs and their kind of traditional toys. They play a huge role in preserving this extraordinarily profound heritage of our nation. Traditional Indian toys weren’t just for kids, they were also played by adults, which showcased the level of sophistication they had. From Pachisi and chess to Legos, toy-making has evolved much since then.

 

Terracotta cart and bullocks, Indus Valley Civilization

 

Role of Traditional Toys

Indian traditional toys play an important role in a household and during different festivals. In Indian homes, these toys are known as decorative items; they serve heritage and local craftsmen's art in depicting village mythology in colours that stand out on any walls and show the finest details in their designs. During festivals like Navratri and Vinayaka Chaturthi, traditional toys take the centre stage because they are made into thematic displays, telling stories from epics and folklore. Whether made of wood, terracotta, or paper-mâché, toys enhance festive decor and keep India's rich traditions and craftsmanship alive.

 

Pachisi, a traditional Indian Game

 

Types of Traditional Indian Toys

Kondapalli Toys (Andhra Pradesh):

Kondapalli toys are a four-century-old craft from the village of Kondapalli, Andhra Pradesh, made from a softwood called Tella Poniki. The artisans from 'Bommala Colony' make these toys by carving out pieces, they have themes from Indian mythology, epics, and rural life. The most famous ones are the Dasavatharam set and the Ambari elephants. The artisans carve each piece separately and join them with a paste called makku, finishing with bright paints made from water, oil, or vegetable dyes.

Asharikandi Terracotta Toys (Assam):

The terracotta toys of Asharikandi village in Assam are made out of clay, sand, straw, and kabish (red clay prepared). Inspired by traditional beliefs and aesthetics, the toys represent deities, animals, birds, and everyday objects, with 'Hatima putul,' a mother with elephant-like ears holding a child, being a symbol of culture. The craftsmen use simple tools and ancient techniques to create such figurines that reflect the local religious and social customs.

Channapatna Toys (Karnataka): 

 

Channapatna Toys, Karnataka

 

Known as the 'Town of Toys,' Channapatna in Karnataka makes environment-friendly toys from ivory wood, rubber, and other materials. The craft was developed during the time of Tipu Sultan and improved by Bavas Miyan, who further enhanced the production process. Vegetable dyes are used for colouring, and a fine polish is applied at the end. Some of the most popular items include movable toy sets like train engines and rocking horses, as well as decorative pieces like pen stands and candleholders.

Thanjavur Dolls (Tamil Nadu): 

Thanjavur dolls or Thalayatti Bommai, are characterized by bobblehead-type oscillating movement, where they are made from various materials such as terracotta, marble, clay and wax. Most of them show the dancers of that place, especially Bharatanatyam, and the royals of Thanjavur's royal race. These are hand-made toys, without being taken to a workshop, so a rich cultural symbolism is evident and plays a strong part in Navaratri also.

Dolls of Vilachery (Tamil Nadu):

 

Dolls of Velachery

 

Velachery village of Tamil Nadu specialises in clay and paper-mâché dolls, especially during the Navaratri and Vinayaka Chaturthi festivals. These are called Golu dolls and are used to enact mythological and epic tales during festivals. Lightweight and colourful, these reflect the festive and artistic tradition of Tamil Nadu. 

Wooden Toys of Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): 

In Varanasi, wooden toys made from shisham or eucalyptus wood are known for their unbroken designs, since these toys do not have any joints. The natural vein of the wood is preserved, and the carving is done with the tools of chisels and lathes. They are lacquered and painted, often portraying gods, animals, and musicians as toys for children and as showpieces for tourists.

Ganjifa:

 

Tic Tac Toe, Teak Wood “Ganjifa”, Sawant Bhonsle

 

Ganjifa is one of the most  intriguing Persian card games introduced to the Indian subcontinent in the sixteenth century, even though versions of Ganjifa existed even before its introduction. It features hand-painted, circular or rectangular cards. The game originally comes from the Persian word ganj, which means treasure or money, and, with the reign of the Mughal Empire, became a cultural gem with some variations, for example, Dashavatara Ganjifa and Akbar's Ganjifa. Played by three players over three rounds, the game consists of strategic exchanges of high and low cards to score low. Ganjifa's rich cards were originally produced using ivory for the king and papier-mâché for the common folk. Each suit, such as taj (crown) or Ashrafi (gold coin), was an artistic representation, often inspired by Persian and Mughal imperial iconography. However, the game declined with the emergence of mass-produced Western playing cards. Today, it only survives in regions of Odisha, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Artistic Techniques and Sustainability: 

Traditional Indian toys are appreciated for their eco-friendly craft and artistry in terms of materials, including wood, clay, metal, and natural dyes. Handcrafted skills can be seen in the Channapatna toys, Kondapalli dolls, and Nirmal toys. With the use of sustainable resources where each item is carefully carved and painted. Such practices are not only less harmful to the environment but also hold cultural stories through their designs. Beyond their aesthetic and play value, they contribute much to local economies. They provide a livelihood to artisans and help regional art forms survive by passing down knowledge to future generations.

Challenges in preservation

Although the cultures have made the craft more significant, there are numerous difficulties in maintaining traditional toy-making industries. The desire for handcrafted toys has decreased due to the mass manufacture of plastic over these goods. Increased urbanisation and changed tastes among consumers are inclined toward digital and modern toys, thereby endangering the heritage craft. A significant number of artisans have declined; market access is limited.

Conclusion

Several government initiatives and programmes like the National Toy Action Plan promote sustainable craft making, many platforms and E-commerce sites are also showcasing the local artisan's craft on their platforms and giving them a global market. Traditional Indian toys are not just for playtime but also have crucial cultural and ecological value. It is equally important for us to create awareness about traditional Indian toys for the younger generations.

Please note: This is not a comprehensive list of traditional toys of India and will be updated as required. 

References 

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