A Study of Traditional Toy Making in Channapatna, and Proposal of an Artisan Village 
Ar. Uma S M1, B. Shankar2, Aparna Agaram Krishnan3
1Ar. Uma S.M*, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, University of Mysore (Karnataka) India.
2Dr. B. Shankar, Reader Urban and Regional Planning, Institute of Development Studies, University of Mysore (Karnataka) India.
3Aparna Agaram Krishnan, Bachelor Architecture School of Planning and Architecture, University of Mysore (Karnataka) India.
Manuscript received on September 20, 2021. | Revised Manuscript received on November 20, 2021. | Manuscript published on November 30, 2021. | PP: 191-195 | Volume-10 Issue-4, November 2021. | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijrte.C64920910321 | DOI: 10.35940/ijrte.C6492.1110421
Open Access | Ethics and Policies | Cite | Mendeley
© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Toys are objects made for a child to play with and explore their surroundings. Toys aid in the physical, emotional, cognitive and social development of children. Channa Patna toys are soft-wood toys that are made in Channa Patna, about 60 km southwest of Bangalore. The toys are eco-friendly, non-toxic and child safe and have been recognized as GI tagged commodities. Artisans majorly acquire the skills from their families who are into toy making since generations, or from a master craftsmen who acts as a head of a group of artisans. It is a craft that is passed on from generation to generation. The toys are also exported and have buyers in an international market. In this research paper, the process of traditional toy making, raw materials required, and methods have been studied in detail, along with the challenges faced by artisans. The artisans engaged in the craft form are mostly dependent on middle-men, and are unaware of benefits and facilities that are available. The paper briefly outlines possible architectural interventions that can improve the working conditions of artisans, and preserve the traditional craft form.
Keywords: Craft-cluster, eco-friendly toys, lathe turned wooden toys, traditional toy making