Games/ Dolls/ Toys

Local artists here make attractive saw dust toys which feature traditional themes and historical figures from Hindu epics. These are mainly made in Varigonda village in Nellore district and Vemulavada and Nupuram villages in East Godavari district.

Red sandal wood (red sanders or raktachandan), so called due to its rust-red hue, is used in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh to carve dolls. This wood is resistant to white ants and fire. The dolls are carved in natural finish and are appealing to the eye due to their simplicity and bold carving. The toys are generally miniature reproductions of religious figures in traditional classical poses seen in sculptured works of the region.

Leather puppets from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This form of puppetry is called Tholu Bommalata (translates as leather puppet dance), a slowly dying art form..
These puppets are used to depict stories from Indian epics, with light from oil lamps in the background. The flickering light lights up the beautiful colours of the puppets.

Kathputlis or wooden puppets are a common and popular form of entertainment in the villages of Rajasthan. The puppeteer is the storyteller who unwinds a folk tale or an episode from the Hindu epics - the Ramayana or the Mahabharata - along with the deft interplay of various puppets, each signifying a character in the tale. Unfortunately, puppet theatre in India is under serious threat from television and cinema, and it may soon be curtains for this animated style of amusement.

Folk toys of Punjab are the products of the perfect amalgamation of artistry and social values. The earliest handmade toys of Punjab can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, from 2500 to 1700 BC. Among the most prominent toys of Indus Valley Civilization is the exceptionally large number of small terracotta carts. Chankana - a kind of whistle and Ghuggu - a kind of rattlebox are some of the other toys unearthed from the site. These toys stand for Punjabi culture and reflect the liveliness and spontaneity of the state. On one hand, they serve as the plaything for the children; while on the other, adults use them to decorate their home. The modern-day, factory-made toys are very much inspired by the folk toys of Punjab.