In today’s world of flashy gadgets and factory-made playthings, traditional handmade toys are slowly fading away.
But these classic creations -- with more attraction than the runaway fave lububu dolls -- hold a special kind of magic. Each one, made with care and love, tells a story.
Gwalior is famous for the distinctive figures named in honour of the original craftswoman. Her 4th gen descendants carry on the legacy. Fashioned manually from scraps of fabric, paper, earth, natural fibres, metal threads, in vivid hues.
Craftswoman Nelly Chacheya of Manipur earned recognition for turning leftover maize sheaths & fibres into finely-crafted figurines. Using maize leaves for the frame and its silky strands for hair, her pieces reflect eco-conscious creativity.
The playthings have their origins linked to the age-old Odiya crafting of timber effigies of deities worshipped at Puri’s revered shrine. Shaped from regional tree varieties like shamli, shavan, and ghamandi, they are frequently moulded into creatures like tuskers.
Designed for youngsters because of their use of plant-based colours and timber, the Andhra beauties are recognised for being sturdy and child-friendly.
Crafted in a village of the same name in the Krishna region near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, the dolls are noted for their artistic expression. The traditional craft has earned a Geographical Indication tag.
The Tanjore thakkali bommai is a classic Indian wobbling figure crafted from baked clay. Its rounded base holds most of its weight, causing it to sway gently in a rhythmic, dance-like motion when nudged. They too have official GI status.
In Krishnanagar, West Bengal, the locality of Ghurni holds a long-standing reputation for its sculpted earthen figures. With a lineage tracing back over two centuries, artisans here shape lifelike miniatures portraying scenes from routine life.