Early on, only kids used the Etikoppaka toys for play when they were still in the early phases of development. These toys were both sturdy and safe to play with because of the use of natural colours and wood.
But over time, a wide range of uses for the Etikoppaka toys emerged. These days, they can be utilized as gifts, toys, accessories, and even functional products.Â
The folks who lived here and in the nearby villages used to play with these toys on a regular basis for a very long time. Spinners, rattles, and animal figurines are some examples of toys.
Jewelry and holy objects like vermillion are also kept in etikoppaka boxes. As they were so well-liked, these toys came to be associated with various South Indian rituals.
For instance, every girl child received a “lakkapidathalu,” or kitchen set, for her first birthday. This set included colorful dishes, ladles, stoves, and even grinders.
They were also used to bring haldi Kumkum, betel nuts, and other aromatic materials for the bride’s trousseau, which later became a part of bridal traditions.
They were so well-liked that they started to be offered for sale as county fairs, weekly markets, train stations, and even bus stands.
How These Etikoppaka Toys Are Made Up
Soft wood and colored lacquer are used to create toys. natural dyes made from seeds, lacquer, roots, and leaves were used to color the fabric. The process of manufacturing toys is sometimes referred to as “turned wood lacquer craft.”
Since they are crafted entirely of organic materials including seeds, lacquer, bark, roots, and leaves, Etikoppaka toys are regarded as being “one with nature.”
These toys are made of wood that is obtained from the “Ankudi Karra” tree (Wrightia tinctoria).
Process
Lac, a colorless resinous secretion of many insects, is utilized in the creation of the Etikoppaka toys. Vegetable dyes that have already been made are combined with lac as it oxidizes.
Rich and colorful lacquer is what is left over after this process. Toys made in Etikoppaka are exported all over the world and are decorated with lac dye.
How did These Tools Become Famous?
These craftsmen have won numerous honor from organizations like the National Innovation Fund and the UNESCO CCI Seal of Excellence for Handicrafts, among others.
The Rashtrapathi Bhawan, among other illustrious locations, has also featured these toys on exhibit. The National Institute of Design (NID), among other organizations, has assisted these craftspeople by holding workshops for them to help them comprehend popular market designs.
These toys were given a Geographical Indication (GI) designation in 2017, which added to their significance. As a result, the issue of the counterfeit market has been addressed, and sales of these toys have multiplied.
These toys are sold all over the world because of their high caliber, brilliant designs, and top-notch craftsmanship.
Etikoppaka toys are imported from India for sale or display in museums in various nations, including the USA, Australia, France, Italy, and Germany.
Facts About These Toys
- Traditional names for the toys, Etikoppaka toys or Etikoppaka Bommalu, include lacquer-colored toys.
- Due to the use of a lacquer covering, the toys are also referred to as “lacquer toys.”
- The wooden toys have natural colours that come from seeds, lacquer, bark, roots, and leaves.
- The toys are made from softwood, and the craft of turning wood into lacquer is another name for the toy-making process.
- Lac, a colorless resinous secretion of many insects, is utilized in the creation of the Etikoppaka toys.
- In Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam district, Etikoppaka is a charming village located on the banks of the Varaha River.
- It is believed that the Rajas of Vizianagaram, who relocated to this area around the same time and served as catalysts as landlords, are to blame for the popularity of the Etikoppaka toys.
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