This art form has been the centrepiece of an age-old Indian festival. A showcase of these toys known as “Bommala Koluvu” is famously known to make appearances during the celebration of Sankranthi every year. The children look forward to being spectators of the show-stopping display of radiant toys. The communities get creative and adopt distinct themes for the arrangement of toys in colonies. Toys are set in groups imitating various scenes ranging from snake shows, animals and birds to mythology and marketplace interaction. Women are portrayed with elegantly draped sarees drawing water from wells.

The "Krishna Leela" has persistently been the most memorable theme for Kondapalli toys on this occasion. Beautiful representations of little Krishna's gimmicks as a child are shown sitting on a table covered in cloth. A dense group of children loiters around the "Bommala Koluvu" and make conversation about the culture that they shall grow up to pursue. This gives us many reasons to promote the traditional craftsmen of Kondapalli, who strive to keep their art alive during these times of crisis.

The Making of Kondapalli Toys

• The wood used for carving Kondapalli toys is from a locally abundant tree known as "Tella Poniki." The softness of the wood increases the ease of carving and precision in detail. However, before cutting into blocks, the wood is warmed to reduce its weight further.
• The desired shape of the toy is then drawn onto the surface. Now the artisan is no more a mere artisan. He is a sculptor of high skill and focus, patiently chiseling the outline of the toy until he achieves perfection.
• He makes the small components of the toy separately and fits them together with glue.
• The toy is slowly heated on a wire frame to stabilize moisture loss and keep the wood in good condition.
• The Karigar then prepares the 'Aakra' paste with tamarind seeds and sawdust. He applies the thick resin to shape the toy as required and to seal any cracks in the wood. In the making of animals, the Aakra paste is moulded to form physical features such as the crest and dewlap of the bull and the curve of its underbelly.
• The artisan moves on to the colouring process. Under the patronage of ancient rules, Kondapalli toymakers used natural vegetable dyes for colouring. With the advent of modernism in art, many have shifted to synthetic paint. These days, artisans turn to enamel colors since they go easy on the pocket and can be readily available. Artifacts using vegetable dyes are considered more exotic and are hence more expensive than the painted ones. However, the artisan applies a coat of sheen-lac polish on natural dyes. This prevents the vegetable dye from becoming sticky under prolonged exposure to air conditioning.

We see a playful use of color in every Kondapalli toy. The three primary colors red, yellow and blue dominate this field of toy-making. Often used in combinations are green, black and white alongside the primary colors. The women of the family usually take up the task of painting these vivid colors onto the sculpted wood while the men generally engage in cutting and carving.

Thanks to the support from online portals and a few concerned parties, Kondapalli toys are now becoming one of India's top-selling handicrafts. Their quality has been revived with fundings to the remaining 40-50 families that are still practising this art form. Quoting an article cited in the Deccan Chronicle on December 15th of 2017, "Eight years ago, these toys were on the endangered list, but now wholesale, retail and online companies are supporting the Kondapalli Craft makers, directly or indirectly."

At Artsytribe, we ask, why is art important for a society? Why do we need to preserve the ones who live and breathe generations of passed down tradition? Because art is a breath of fresh air in a world that is slowly distancing itself from all forms of beauty. Industrial manufacture is becoming commonplace, replacing handicraft. Hence, we nurture these artisans who struggle to find a platform which looks after their needs.  A catalogue of Kondapalli toys is available for online shopping at Artsytribe Kondapalli Toys Collection. We extend support to the local artisans of Kondapalli and deliver these carefully crafted memoirs of love to your doorstep. Whether thoughtfully gifted by a daughter to her nostalgic mother or by a mother to her little daughter, it brings a smile that is unforgettable.