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Craft & Tradition · Karnataka
Lacquered wooden toys handcrafted in the town of Channapatna, a centuries-old Karnataka craft.
Understand
Channapatna's wooden toy tradition dates to the reign of Tipu Sultan, who is credited with inviting Persian craftsmen to train local artisans in lacquerware — the town is still known as India's 'toy town'.
Craftsmen turn soft ivory-wood on a lathe, then apply natural vegetable dyes and a lac-based lacquer finish, shaping and colouring the toy in the same motion on the lathe.
Lacquered wooden toys handcrafted in the town of Channapatna, a centuries-old Karnataka craft.
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