Ethnic Games, Toys & Dolls of India

Handicrafts making in India covers a wide array of products. The tradition of crafting toys and dolls actually dates back to the pre-historic periods in India. Excavations at different regions of India have come up with handmade toy carts, figures of human beings or animals, birds and even religious figurines. Toys and dolls in India were crafted primarily from wood, clay, stones and other natural and easily available materials. Toys made in India not only cater to the dreams of a child but they are also associated with religious rituals and festivals. Even today, there are some religious festivals like Janmashtami, which include rituals involving handmade toys and dolls. Toys and dolls are the obvious expression of the human psyche, social and cultural practices, demographical differences and as such is a very important part of traditional

knowledge and wisdom, passed on through generations.

A variety of materials like, wood, clay, papier machie, leather etc are used in making ethnic toys. Toys are not only made in the shape of animals, birds, carts etc but toys and dolls are also made to depict gods and deities. Each Indian region has its own tradition of making toys and dolls. While one state is famous for its wooden toys, some others are known for clay dolls, paper machie toys, or coconut pulp figures. Like the land itself, Indian art and crafts are epitomes of diversity and beauty, and this is reflected in its handmade toys and dolls