Traditional Toys of India.

A set of 12 Picture Postcards was released on 1st October 2020, World Postcard Day, during the inaugural function of Debutpex 2020.

DebutPex 2020 is India's First Online Postcard Exhibition with international participation being organized by the Postcrossing Society of India for promoting writing of postcards with support of India Post and hosted by Postcards Ville. The novel initiative is to celebrate Postcards and to commemorate the 151 st World Postcard Day on 1st October 2020. The exhibition had participation from all over India and Abroad.It released postcards and pictorial cancellation approved by the Department of Post, India Post on Traditional Toys of India.

An Innovative concept Debutpex and India Post in getting The cards duly cancelled with distinct and ephemeral cancellations from across 9 different postal circles of India.

Channapatna Toy, Karnataka: Channapatna located 60 kms away from Bengaluru, Karnataka is noted for it's handmade lacquer wooden toys all over the world, hence known as Gombegala Ooru or toy town of Karnataka. Channapatna Toys with the  prestigious status of GI tag, are made of traditional ivory wood which comes from locally available Wrightia Tinctoria tree or commonly known as Ale mara by local people. The toys are ideal for children because of their simplicity and vibrant colours.

Budhni Toy, Madhya Pradesh: Budhni (Sehore) located on the banks of Narmada and in the heart of Madhya Pradesh is famous for its wooden and lacquered toys and handicraft. This handicraft has been practiced by "Vishwakarma" and "Lodhis" communities since the last 200 years. The "Gond" and "Ahir"tribe  living in nearby lush forests surrounding Budhni Ghat is supporting the  artisans by providing "Dud hi wood" to make these toys. The most admirable toy is three wheeled walker to encourage walking of a toddler and develops locomotor skill. Toys are very eco-friendly, use of natural colors made with  lac turns to be harmless for our little ones. These bio-toys are gifts from nature for kids. As the synthetic world is encroaching Mother Nature, we should at least let our children bond with soil and trees.

Etikopaka Toy, Andra Pradesh: Located on the banks of River Varaha, the quaint village of Etikoppaka is widely renowned for its lacquer-coated wooden toys, traditionally known as Etikoppaka Bommalu. The toys are made of wood, after the desired shape is achieved. The lac dye is used in decorating the toys. These toys,decorative pieces and memorabilia are to take back home as a reminder of your trip to Visakhapatnam. The art is called Tharini and the name of the  tree from which the magic wood is collected is Ankudu. It grows very fast even after it is cut upto the bottom of it's trunk. Hence there are no  environmental issues related to forest degradation and for the livelihood of the artists, as the raw material is always available.

Ghurni Clay Dolls ,West Bengal:Ghurni, famous for its clay dolls often referred to as Krishnanagar dolls is located on the banks of Jalangi river in Nadia District, West Bengal."Clay dolls" represent a 250 yrs old art of Krishnanagar, which are unique in  their realism and the quality of their finish. Historical records tell us that the marvels started under the kind patronage of Maharaja Krishna Chandra Ray, the King of Krishnanagar during 1728-83 AD. It is said that he relocated a large number of potter families from Natore (Bangladesh of today) to  Ghurni,and commissioned them to create clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses for the palace.

Himachal Dolls,Himachal Pradesh: The traditional wooden dolls of Himachal Pradesh are much akin to the people themselves; docile, petite and charming. Reflecting the costumes and endearing moods of Himachali subjects, these little wonders have captured the attention of the young and old. The use of Willow tree wood is prevalent in making such artifacts.

Jaukandhei Lac Dolls, Odisha: In Odisha, dolls in the form of bride and groom are popular and also used during specific festivals. The search for everlasting conjugal bliss is expressed through these dolls, where they are worshipped and sometimes an entire wedding for them is enacted. All of it, in the hope, that the serene orchestrated relationship of the dolls is replicated in real life. Nabarangpur and Balasore districts of Odisha are famous for the creation of these dolls. Artisans from the Sankhari community residing here, make these dolls out of fine clay and coat them with lacquer collected from the local forests. Their form is kept simple with just a basic indication of limbs and other features. In Balasore ~ district, these lac-coated dolls are called Jaukandhei.

Kondapalli Toy, Andra Pradesh Situated in the heart of Andhra Pradesh, the village of Kondapalli (Vijaywada) is home to one of India's most treasured art forms - Kondapalli toy making.Holding this traditional art form close to their souls, the Telugus of Andhra Pradesh take great pride in nurturing their timeless art of carving delightful toys out of wood. Colloquially known as Aryakshatriyas or Nakarshalu, the  Kondapalli artisan finds mention in the legendary Brahmanda Purana.In 2006, Kondapalli toy making was honoured as one of India's geographical indication Handicrafts.

Kutch Wodden Toy,Gujarat: In Kutch, Gujarat, colour pervades not just the gorgeous clothes of the Kutchi people but even the small, nondescript items of everyday use.Wooden spinning top called "Bhamrado" other Toys and kitchenware are no exception, these are also covered with psychedelic patterns and merging zigzags of contrasting colours. Most of the process of making lacquerware is done on a manual lathe. Babool wood, which is found locally, is mostly used for the products. Once the wood is cut into basic forms, each piece is individually put on the lathe and smoothened using wooden tools.

Varanasi-Mirzapur Lacquer Toy,Uttar Pradesh: Located 64 kms away from Varanasi and 84 kms from Allahabad (Prayagraj), Mirzapur is famous for wooden lacquered Toys. The toys of Mirzapur are  created with the natural veins of the wood. These toys are made without any joints, and are attractive and safe play things for children.

Nirmal Toy, Telangana: Nirmal toys are world famous traditional wooden toys that are exclusively made in the town of Nirmal in Adilabad district of Telangana, India. The actual origin of Nirmal craft can be traced back to the Kakatiya era. The motifs which are used in Nirmal craft are derived from the floral designs and frescoes found in Ajanta and Ellora art forms and the Mughal miniatures. According to local legend, the Naqqash families of Rajasthan migrated here during 17th century and it is they who brought this art. The Naqqash artisans  initially produced these toys from the local variety of softwood called poniki or white sander.

Sawantwadi Toy Maharashtra: Sawantwadi is famous for its art and culture, popularly known for Ganjifa playing cards and wooden toys made from mango tree. The craft is traditionally done by the Chitari or Chitrakar community. Sawantwadi toys are made from flat shaped seasoned mango wood, which is chiselled or carved into desired toy shape. The cut-out pieces are thereafter finished on a sander, painted and assembled as an attractive toy.

Thanjavur Dancing Doll ,Tamilnadu The art of Indian doll-making goes back centuries, but one of the prominent varieties is the Thanjavur dancing Dolls of Tamil Nadu, known as Thalai ati Bommai. These dolls are closely associated with the Indian festival of Navaratri in which Tamil families celebrate by decorating their homes with these dolls. The Thalai ati bommai literally translates to a 'nodding doll' whose head and other body parts are pivoted and interlocked with one another and allows it to sway with the slightest external force. There are three to four variations of this kind of doll most popular being the dancing doll performing  Bharatanatyam. These dolls are traditionally handmade, finished with  detailed, richly painted exteriors. These dolls are honoured with tag of Geographical Indication by the Government of India in 2008.

Courtesy: Suresh Rao, Bengaluru.