Kondapalli Toys Overview

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An overview of the Kondapalli Toys Industry in Andhra Pradesh

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  • Kondapalli BommaluThe colour drenched folk charm of Andhras traditional Kon-dapalli wooden toys...Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176Business Organisation and Management Project Lady Shri Ram College 2009-10

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College

  • Table of Contents Prologue 2Awash with colour and charm... 2

    Introduction 3The Magic of Kondapalli Toys 3

    Past 5Origin 5

    Present 6Today 6

    From Mythology to Animals! 7

    How are they made? 8

    Cottage Industry 10

    Future 11Lanco revives this Andhra Toy craft 11

    Kondapalli Toys get GI Protection 13

    Conclusion 14Birth of an ancient art 14

    Epilogue 15I want some too!! 15

    Kondapalli minus the toys... 16

    Bibliography 17

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College

  • Prologue...lyrical colours and beautiful hand-crafted figures...

    AWASH WITH COLOUR AND CHARM...

    Brightly polished, colourful and ingeniously conceptualised deities, ru-

    ral tableaux, fruit, flower and fauna...

    Whittling away at a stump of white wood with a knife at Sri Sankara

    Hall (Kolu Exhibition, TTK Road, Teynampet) is Mohiudeen, carving out

    a 6 Hanuman. He works with deep concentration at the icons visage.

    After that he moves on to do tinier versions of Rama and Lakshmana

    and joins them to the main in the conceptualised pose. Then will fol-

    low colouring in blues, oranges and black with natural dye pigments in

    which a special oil is mixed to give it the required sheen.

    Mohiudeen who is from Vijaywada, learnt his craft from his father who

    is based in Kondapalli. His Ganeshas are captivating, done in three

    parts and auspiciously painted in vermillion. Krishna and Radha is an-

    other favourite theme, again painted over in lyrical colours. But it is

    superbly crafted bullock carts, palkis and howdas, etc., which capti-

    vate with their charming realism. Mohiudeens repertoire includes well

    crafted bangles, rattles, skipping ropes and bowls.(courtesy: The Hindu, dated 11.09.2009)

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 2

  • IntroductionThe toys have a definite grammar of colour composition of their own, and a reflection of native rural life of the Telu-gus...

    THE MAGIC OF KONDAPALLI TOYS

    Did you know that animals, birds, reptiles and humans learn the les-

    sons of life through play? Any object can be used as a toy. Lion cubs

    even play with their parent's tail! Human children play with objects of

    daily life, like spoons and cardboard boxes. But toys remain the fa-

    vourite playthings of most children.

    In India, the oldest toys belong to the 5000 year-old Harappan civilisa-

    tion. These toys were made with natural materials like clay, wood and

    stone. They depicted ordinary men, women, animals, birds, fruits and

    vegetables as well as the important professionals who existed in those

    times - the potter, carpenter and farmer, among others. And these an-

    cient toys are surprisingly similar to the handmade toys of a later date.

    Many regions in India specialise in making toys. In the southern state of

    Andhra Pradesh for instance, the names of places such as Kondapalli,

    Nirmal, Ettikoppakka and Tirupati, are associated with wooden toys

    crafted with great style.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 3

  • Note the image of toys below.

    Don't the figures give an impression of lifelike charm, like they are

    little people ready to jump out of the page any minute?

    Welcome to the world of Kondapalli toys.

    Kondapalli toys are made in and around

    Kondapalli, a little village in the Vijayawada

    district of Andhra Pradesh. The traditional

    craftsmen who make the famed toys are

    called Aryakshatriyas. The toys are made at

    home and the work involves the entire fam-

    ily. This traditional art form has been

    handed down from one generation to an-

    other. It continues to be the main livelihood

    of the people of Kondapalli.

    The craftsmen specialise in themes taken from their immediate sur-

    roundings. Scenes from rural life are carved and made into sets of

    various sizes.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 4

  • PastHow did it all begin?

    ORIGIN

    Handicrafts convey sentiments that transcend linguistic and regional

    barriers. That is precisely what the Kondapalli toys of Andhra Pradesh

    have been doing for over 400 years. Kondapalli artisans are famous for

    the their output of life-like, thematic carved sculptures depicting rural

    life,deities and animals.

    The artisan families of Kondapalli village near Vijayawada belong to a

    community known as Arya Kshatriyas, who had migrated to Kondapalli

    from Rajasthan in the 16th century and settled down under the pa-

    tronage of the Reddy Rajulu. A few of the locals also imbibed their

    skill, swelling the craft community.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 5

  • PresentA peep into the colourful world of kondapalli toys...

    TODAY

    With the advent of modernization, the delightful picture of quaint vil-

    lage life seems to be vanishing fast.

    Kondapalli toys have, however, have

    managed to preserve the rural flavour

    of life in the form of art, and brought

    it to homes everywhere, whether in a

    remote rural home, or a big city bun-

    galow.

    Most Kondapalli toys are depictions of

    different components of village life.

    The Kondapalli toys have become the

    pride of Andhra handicrafts.

    They are so popular that people don't realize that these toys are not

    manufactured or factory-made; they are still made by hand in the hills

    of Kondapalli, a small village about 30 kilometers from Vijayawada.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 6

  • FROM MYTHOLOGY TO ANIMALS!

    Mythology, rural life and animals are the main themes on which the

    toys are made. Swans, peacocks and parrots are popular themes too,

    as are slice-of-life themes: women drawing water from a well, snake

    charmers, elephant with a mahout (trainer) on its back, potters, etc.

    Mythological figures are great favourites. Lord Krishna, the playful

    God, is shown playing the flute with a cow listening on.

    Kondapalli toys bring colour and joy. They create awareness about ru-

    ral life and folklore through play. Can you think of a better way to

    learn about the richness of Indian mythology?

    In these days of mass-produced Barbie dolls, these beautiful folk toys

    are a reminder that each one, made by hand and so painstakingly, is

    unique - and it creates a beautiful connection with the world around

    for the child.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 7

  • HOW ARE THEY MADE?

    Although it is difficult to infuse life into small blocks of wood, the

    Kondapalli toys are exceptions. They are very lively. Every small de-

    tail, including the appearance of the face, is looked into and carefully

    carved.

    Making these toys is no child's play. It takes a very long time to fashion

    each one.

    Kondapalli Bommalu (Toys) are made from the wood of tella poniki

    (or White Sanders). This wood is chosen because it is lightweight and

    soft. You can cut through the wood with an ordinary table knife. This

    wood is found in the forest nearby Kondapalli. The freshly cut wood is

    chopped into manageable pieces and dried in the sun for 10 days.

    The wood is hand-

    carved into the shapes

    that are needed to

    build the toy. A tool

    called Bavujali is

    used for this purpose.

    Once all the pieces are

    made, they are stuck

    together to form the

    skeleton of the toy

    that is being made.

    Traditionally tumma jiguru was used to glue the parts together, but

    recently commercial adhesives such as Fevicol are being used.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 8

  • This skeleton of the toy has rough and square edges. These edges are

    rounded to give the toy a smooth body by applying makku. To make

    makku, tamarind seeds are ground into a fine powder and boiled in

    water until it becomes a smooth paste. This makku is applied using a

    tool called palapu chekka, which is a thin and smooth piece that fits

    comfortably in ones hand, made by filing a cows horn into a smooth

    oval.

    It is then placed on a kumpati (charcoal fire) to allow the moisture

    from the makku to evaporate, leaving the toy firm and solid. A cloth is

    then fixed on top of the makku-covered toy, further reinforcing the

    strength.

    Now, the toy resembles the final shape with smooth edges and all basic

    components, but it is not finished yet. The final shape of the toy is

    brought by applying a coat of lime ('sudda') mixed with tumma jig-

    uru. A thick coat of lime is skillfully applied carving the final shape of

    the toy. The toy is left to dry until the lime coat dries.

    All the tasks until this point are done

    by men in the family. Normally at this

    point, women of the family take the

    charge and finish the toy. First a coat

    of primer, a base for coloring the toy,

    is applied. After the primer dries, col-

    ors are patiently applied to each toy.

    Three kinds of paints- oil, vegetable

    dyes and enamel are used to enhance

    the beauty of the toys. It takes about

    20 minutes to apply all the colors to a

    mid-sized toy. The colors are applied with a brush made of goat hair!

    It takes several weeks make these brightly colored pieces from a log of

    wood. As we can see from the procedure described, at each stage the

    toy is carefully hand crafted. Hours of manual labor goes into each toy

    we see and enjoy today.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 9

  • COTTAGE INDUSTRY

    Toy making is a cottage industry sustained by some 100-odd families

    living in the hills of Kondapalli. Most people in this community, earn a

    profit of Rs.100 to Rs.150 daily. Working for a minimum of 10 hours and

    a maximum of 18 hours a day, their work schedule is largely dictated

    by the demand that varies throughout the year.

    Like in most crafts villages, bulk market orders are handled by key-

    craftsmen with expertise and financial clout, who then involve the

    other artisans to execute the order. This homegrown version of out-

    sourcing has however proved detrimental to the growth of the smaller

    craftspersons.

    In the early 1980s, the then Chief Minis-

    ter, N.T. Rama Rao allotted sites and

    built 42 houses for the artisans. With

    the AP Government floating Lepakshi

    Emporia as ready markets for handi-

    crafts, Lepakshi became Kondapalli's `bread and butter' market.

    The term `sustainable livelihood' moved on from a fashionable buzz-

    word to a happening reality. In fact, the famous Kondapalli `elephant

    ambari' became Lepakshi's mascot.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 10

  • FutureWill this beautiful art sustain tomorrow?

    LANCO REVIVES THIS ANDHRA TOY CRAFT

    To promote and protect the traditional art form of 400 years, the

    Lanco Group of companies (with interests in power and infrastructure),

    through it's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme has

    launched an initiative called LIGHT (Lanco Institute of General Hu-

    manitarian Trust), in place since 2002.

    "Lanco developed its first power project near Konda-

    palli village and during our interaction with the vil-

    lagers, we observed the plight of these artisans fac-

    ing various problems like loss of market affecting

    both the art of making Kondapalli toys and sur-

    vival of the families itself Vijay Goswami, Pro-

    ject officer, LIGHT said.

    Apart from skill development for the artisans in use of natural dyes,

    making of utility designs such as pen stand, table clocks, etc artisans

    were sponsored to exhibit Kondapalli toys in stalls provided at confer-

    ences like the World Telugu Federation in Singapore in 2002.

    Issue like cracks appearing in the toys and termite-attack was solved

    with the help of professionals. Professional methods were adopted to

    make the wood of Tella Poniki tree (White Sanders Tree) stronger by

    way of seasoning, Goswami said.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 11

  • Appreciating the initiative, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Academy helped

    organise an overall development training programme for artisans de-

    pendent on forest for raw material.

    Says Udayagiri Surya Prakash, one of the beneficiaries of the project:

    "The initiative of LIGHT helped at least 75 families of our village, who

    are dependent on the craft. The artisans here are given training in de-

    sign development, use of vegetable colours and marketing apart from

    sponsoring us to some national and international exibitions. Earlier a

    family hardly used to earn Rs 3,000 per month, now it is around Rs

    7,000.

    The objective of protecting the art form famous for its mythological

    characters and depiction of rural life in vibrant colours has been real-

    ised.

    LIGHT, in association with the state government is also setting up a

    common facility centre for the artisans where all orders for the Kon-

    dapalli toys would be processed.

    Even a Kondapalli Toys Development Forum comprising Kondapalli Toy

    Artisans Mutually Aided Co-operative, Crafts Council of AP, CII, Andhra

    Pradesh Handicrafts Development Council, Viswakarma Art Gallery and

    LIGHT has been constituted to formulate strategies to promote these

    toys.

    (courtesy: The Hindu, dated 20.07.2007)

    Thanks to the efforts of LIGHT and Confederation of Indian Industry,

    Andhra Pradesh, Kondapalli Bommalu created only in Kondapalli dis-

    trict of Andhra Pradesh, are now marked with Geographical Indication

    (GI), a unique recognition given to products native to a specific place on

    earth.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 12

  • KONDAPALLI TOYS GET GI PROTECTION

    What is GI protection?

    A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain prod-

    ucts which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin

    (eg. a town, region, or country). The use of a GI may act as a certifica-

    tion that the product possesses certain qualities, or enjoys a certain

    reputation, due to its geographical origin.

    Kondapalli Toys protected...2007

    Kondapalli toys are the most recent category of

    handicrafts to obtain Geographical Indications

    (GI) protection in India, being only the second

    handicraft from the state of Andhra Pradesh to

    receive such protection.

    Fine detailing of form and facial expression is

    one of the most distinctive aspects of these

    toys. Experts believe there is a strong influence of Islamic and Ra-

    jasthani cultures in the art form and are of the opinion that the arti-

    sans are migrants from Rajasthan.

    It is in recognition of this inherently distinctive and intricate nature of

    the art form underlying these toys that the Geographical Indications

    Registry in Chennai granted GI protection to this art form. The Confed-

    eration of Indian Industrys Andhra Pradesh Technology Development

    Centre (APTDC) in collaboration with the Lanco Institute of General

    Humanitarian Trust had facilitated the filing of the application for

    grant of the GI with the legal assistance of the firm Anand & Anand.

    (courtesy: The Hindu, dated 28.02.2007)

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 13

  • ConclusionThe new-born spirit of the makers of these ancient-spirited embodiments...

    BIRTH OF AN ANCIENT ART

    Thus, nimble-fingered artisans, the toy-makers of Kondapalli- are a transformed lot.

    More and More people are experimenting with this form of carving to

    including busts of freedom fighters, temples, assembly hall and even

    modern inventions. It is these innovations and support from govern-

    mental bodies, which keep the art going.

    While toy making was on the wane two decades ago, due to better re-

    turns for their hardwork, more youth are taking to training and enter-

    ing the trade now. Efforts are also on to restore Kondapalli fort (to

    make it a tourist destination and this could further enhance the pros-

    pects for marketing their toys.

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 14

  • EpilogueAn afterthought...

    I WANT SOME TOO!!

    You can buy a Kondapalli toy in all the Lepakshi Emporia run by the

    Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation in all major

    towns in the State. The artisans associations and different self-help

    groups sell the toys to the corporation, which in turn puts them on

    display-cum-sale. Some private handicrafts shops also sell the toys.

    If any art-lover with aesthetic sense wants to buy them in Kondapalli in

    bulk, it works out to be cheaper. Any shop would usually add its over-

    heads, including cost of maintenance and staff salaries, to the cost of

    purchase and sell them at a premium. However, if one goes to Konda-

    palli to buy the toys, the cost would be lower by 25 per cent to 50 per

    cent depending on the item the buyer chooses.

    The toys from Rs 10 to Rs 10,000 are available with the artisans in

    about a dozen shops in this industrial township of Vijayawada. For

    those who want to carry the brittle toys abroad, the artisans are ready

    to pack them neatly to suit the cargo requirements for a safe transpor-

    tation.

    The artisans also make toys of buyers' choice. But then, it takes some

    time for drawing the design and having it approved by the buyer be-

    fore casting the mould. Ambari elephant, palanquin-bearers, farmer

    couple and many such pieces of artistic wonders chiselled on Puniki

    entice the buyers so much that they glue their eyes onto them.

    Dual purpose!

    One doesn't have to go to Kondapalli just to buy the toys - it serves a

    dual purpose. A visitor would cherish his trip to Kondapalli...

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 15

  • KONDAPALLI MINUS THE TOYS...

    Kondapalli is an Industrial town near Vijayawada city, Andhra Pradesh,

    India with population of nearly 38000. It is 16 km by road from Vijaya-

    wada on National Highway 221 and on Hyderabad Vijayawada railway

    line.

    Kondapalli Khilla (fort) is a major

    tourist attraction. The historic fort

    on the hill (Eastern ghats) on west

    of the village was built by Prolaya

    Vema Reddy of Kodaveedu during

    14th Century It was under occupa-

    tion of Gajapati rulers of Orissa for

    some time , then Krishna Devaraya

    of Vijayanagar and It later fell into the hands of Muslim rulers of Qu-

    tubshahi dynasty in 16 th century. One can see the remains of main

    fort and the prisons of that time, aided by beautful sound and light

    guided tours. The fort is connected by road from Ibrahimpatnam and

    kondapalli. Tourism development is now remodeling the fort, Prison,

    Ranimahal and Gajasala (i.e. elephant staying place).

    Kondapalli is home to the kondapalli reserve forest one of the last re-

    maining pristine forest in krishna district, spread over area of 30,000

    acres (120 sq.km). It is home to several leopards, wild dogs, jack-

    als,wild boar, wolf,etc it is above 4 km from down to up.

    Kondapalli is also an industrial suburb of Vijayawada. Kondapalli is hub

    for storage, bottling and transportation of petroleum products of all

    major companies . Major companies having presence in kondapalli are

    BPCL,GAIL,HPCL,IOC,RELIANCE,etc

    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 16

  • BIBLIOGRAPHY

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    http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2005/07/23/stories/2005072303560100.htm

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kondapalli

    http://andhrabommalu.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/kondapalli-bommalu/16/

    http://www.indiasite.com/andhrapradesh/arts.html

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    http://www.financialexpress.com/news/corporate-lifeline-for-toymakers/181446/

    http://www.pitara.com/magazine/features/online.asp?story=147

    http://www.hydonline.com/leisure/Shopping/Specialities/kondapally.htm

    http://spicyipindia.blogspot.com/2007/02/kondapalli-toys-get-gi-protection.html

    http://www.india9.com/i9show/Kondapalli-Toys-49623.htm

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    http://articles.maxabout.com/games-recreation/kondapalli-toy-story-part-ii/article-6085

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    Aastha Aggarwal Rno. 176 Lady Shri Ram College 17