Toy Maker, Wood

India?s Toymakers

Traditional wooden-toy making constitutes an important part of India?s cultural heritage. Traditional toys depict, in different ways, the country?s rich history, mythologies, legends, folklore and plant and animal life, and they have always been popular in both urban and rural markets. Thus, Indian wooden toys have a tradition of linking play and amusement with religion, history, art and education. Traditional wooden-toy making is conducted mainly on a cottage-industry scale, and most artisans are ?unorganized?, meaning that they operate independently (Kumar et al., 1996a). Traditionally, artisans have used very simple hand tools, but some are now turning to power tools such as lathes, jigsaws, circular saws, fretsaws and spray-painting equipment. The wood favoured by artisans is soft to moderately hard, has a fine texture and is easy to carve into desired shapes, although ultimately the choice of wood depends on availability. Traditional toymakers use lac, an insect-derived substance that is melted and solidified into sticks. The required size and shape of the wood is cut, seasoned, attached to a lathe that is operated either manually or by motor, and turned in order to smooth it. Chisels are used to shape the revolving piece of wood, and flaws are sandpapered. The surface is lacquered by rubbing lac sticks into the revolving wood.

The Future of India?s Wooden-Toy Industry

The Indian middle class has emerged as a major consumer force; its purchasing power is now equivalent to that of the entire European market (Rao et al., 2001). India?s wooden-toy artisans create beautiful things. Considering the retail boom and the changing consumption habits of the middle class which favours the use of toys as a medium for entertainment and education, the wooden-toy industry in India could?if adequately supported?experience major upward growth. In our view it is the duty of society, which benefits from the artistic creations of the wooden-toy makers, to assist them. The most important factor is the availability and affordability of the raw material with which to practise their craft. A dwindling supply of wood from natural forests has caused an escalation in the cost of the raw material. The problem of raw-material supply can be overcome by using the wood of alternative species grown in plantations. There is an urgent need to conserve existing forests and bring them under sustainable management and reforestation programmes, and to encourage the use of alternative plantation grown species. At the same time, wooden-toy makers need assistance to upskill in the face of international competition in the toy market.