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Channapatna Toys of Karnataka

By Shivam Pathania

The small city of Channapatna is located at about a distance of 60 km from the city of Bengaluru. Channapatna, is known as ‘Gombegalauru’, which means toy town in Kannada. It is rightly so titled by the state of Karnataka as it is well known for its unique wooden lacquered toys around the globe. The Channapatna wooden toys trace their origin from the era of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore kingdom around 200 years ago. The ruler was immensely impressed with the craftsmanship of the Persian toymakers and invited the talented craftsmen to his kingdom to train the local artisans. The wooden handicraft is certified as a geographical indication (GI), by the World Trade Organization.

The toys are well known for their unique and colourful aesthetic. The craft utilises a lot of round shapes and forms that are symmetrical in nature. The traditional craft was originally carved out of Ivory wood locally called ‘Aale mara’ but over the years, craftsmen have substituted the raw material with other types of hardwood like rubberwood, sycamore, silver wood, red cedar, etc. After the procurement of the wood, it is usually seasoned for about two to three months. Once it is ready, it is sent for carving. The carving takes place on the lathe machine, which is used for creating objects that are symmetrical around an axis. The wood pieces are shaped in cylindrical forms before they are mounted on the machine. Then the machine is used to make them into spheres, hemispheres, cones and other round forms. The rotating wooden cylinder is given different shapes and forms using chisels and files. Once the required shape is achieved, it is rubbed with sandpaper for an even surface. While still rotating on the machine, the wooden toy is coloured using vegetable dyed lacquer sticks and is polished in the end using a palm leaf. The eye-catching colours of the toys are made from all-natural materials. The yellow dye is obtained from turmeric, blue dye from indigo powder, red and orange dyes from Kumkum, and brown dye from Katha or extracts from the acacia tree.  

Illustration: Sneha Balaji

Traditionally, the craftsmen used to make animal figurines, kitchen sets, playing tops and characters from religious and folktales. But with time, they have changed their perception of design. Modern demands require modern designs. The artisans have broken out of the conventional purpose of the craft and have expanded their domain into different fields. Channapatna artisans have transitioned from just creating traditional toys to also producing interior decoration items, articles for household utilities, aesthetic jewellery boxes, coaster sets, key chains, and huge catalogues of gift items tailored for different corporations. Apart from their traditional designs, the toys are also available in the form of Russian dolls, different vehicles, baby rattles and many traditional and modern game sets. Because of its flexible approach towards design and its ability to evolve with modern times, the homegrown craft has established demand in international markets like the US and the UK.

In a capitalistic world where most corporations prefer profit over the planet, Channapatna toys have established a more sustainable approach comparatively. The dyes that are used to add colour to the wooden toys are completely natural. Using natural dyes over synthetic dyes makes the toys non-toxic which is safe for children as well as the planet. Another important factor is related to waste generation. The wood shavings and the powdered wooden remains that are produced by the lathe machine during the carving of the toys are utilised by the incense industries. Thus, it makes the production of Channapatna toys a zero-waste industry.   

Even though the toys are exported to other countries, traditional toys face a lot of competition in the market. Children prefer western toys that have a more modern touch to them. The western toys also get exposure through visual mediums like television shows, which in turn increases the popularity of such toys among children. Another bias, that the Channaptna toys face, is related to it being more of a handicraft than a toy. Thus this decreases the chances for the toys to hit the shelves of the big toy stores and the toy vendors are forced to market their products through exhibitions or craft clusters, which are rarely a hotspot for their target audience. Having said that, these unique toys are here to stay and always find a place in the hearts of Indians. 

Different Celebrations of Vijayadashami

People across India celebrate Vijayadashami or Dussehra as a day of triumph and victory in many different ways. Each state adds its own flavour to the festival making it a riot of vibrance and colour.

Ramlila

Across North India, the festival is celebrated with the Ramlila, an open-air theatre performance depicting various incidents from Lord Rama’s life. The most dramatic part of this celebration is the setting of fire to the large effigies of Ravana to mark his defeat.

Sindoor Khela

The Bengali tradition of Sindoor Khela celebrates the fact that Durga is a married woman. After applying sindoor (vermillion) to the feet and forehead of the devi’s idol, married women playfully smear sindoor on each other’s faces.

Bommai Kolu

In various parts of South India, the household celebrations include showcasing dolls of gods, goddesses, humans and animals on an arrangement of an odd number of steps. In Tamil, this is called Bommai Kolu, which means Divine Presence. In Telugu, it is called Bommala Koluvu meaning Court of Toys and in Kannada, Bombe Habba means Doll Festival.

Garba

In Gujarat, a dance form known as Garba is performed during Navratri, where dancers move in circles, making circular movements with their hands and feet. This dance form worships the Goddess Durga.

Bastar Dussehra

Bastar Dussehra is celebrated in Chhattisgarh with great pomp for a whole of 75 days. Here, the festival is celebrated in honour of Goddess Danteshwari and has a focus on nature.

The Many Benefits Of Tamarind

The sweet and tangy fruit, in our country, has many uses apart from tickling our taste buds. Here are some of the wonderful benefits of tamarind!

Tamarind uses
Illustration: Ritika Dureja

Famous Quotes #13

He may have made many a dent with his fists, but what has left a greater impact are his words. Here is a quote from the ‘greatest’– Muhammad Ali

Illustration: ACK Art Team

Nag Panchami

In certain parts of North India, such as Varanasi, traditional akharas i.e. venues for wrestling, are cleaned thoroughly and decorated on the occasion of Nag Panchami. In Hindu mythology, snakes often symbolise virility and it is this aspect of the snake that the wrestlers worship on this day.

Note: The catching and using of snakes are banned under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Citizens must offer prayers to snake idols or images.

Famous Quotes #12

Here is a beautiful quote from Shashi Deshpande’s ‘In the Country of Deceit’ that makes one pause and think.

Illustration: Aakanksha Patil

Uda Devi: A True Veerangini

By Kayva Gokhale 

Illustration: Sneha Balaji

Indian history is filled with oft-forgotten, brave women who have played an integral part in the freedom struggle. Uda Devi, a warrior who was martyred in the First War of Independence in 1857, is one such braveheart. Born in Ujiriao village in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Uda Devi became associated with Begum Hazrat Mahal due to her determination to participate in India’s freedom struggle. The Begum, who was the wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, was leading the movement in Awadh. With her help, Uda Devi formed a women’s battalion, largely consisting of members of the Dalit community, in order to fight the British regiment stationed at the Gomti River. The women of this battalion were called ‘Veeranginis’, meaning brave heroines.

Uda Devi’s husband, Makka Pasi, had been martyred at the battle of Chinhat. Motivated by her grief, Uda Devi bravely risked her life to ensure that the British regiment could not break through the women’s battalion and reach reinforcements.

While much has not been written about the specifics of the battle, the circumstances of her death have been recorded by British commander Campbell and W. Gordon-Alexander, in their accounts of the movement. According to them, Uda Devi climbed onto a pipal tree and began firing at British soldiers. She reportedly shot down 32 to 36 soldiers before she was spotted. Upon being seen, she was immediately shot and killed. However, it was only when she fell to the ground that the soldiers discovered her to be a woman. It is said that Campbell was impressed by her bravery and bowed to her in respect.

Uda Devi continues to inspire all those who know about her courage and her sacrifice. A statue of her stands in Sikandar Bagh in Lucknow. Her story is a reminder of the role that women, especially from the underprivileged class, played in achieving the freedom that we enjoy today.

Read the stories of freedom fighters of the independence movement in our latest release First War of Indian Independence, now available on the ACK Comics App. 

Must-See Libraries in India

By Dheer Sanghi

India has one of the longest and richest histories of any nation in the world. From being home to one of the oldest civilisations: the Indus Valley civilization, to the Mughal empire, to British rule, to finally becoming an independent nation; preserving India’s story is pertinent to our national identity and culture. One of the best mediums to do so are libraries. Filled with influential books, important manuscripts, and inspiring art, libraries make knowledge accessible to the masses. India has hundreds of such libraries, all worth visiting, but this article will focus on a few that you must see.

Illustration: Sneha Balaji
The National Library of India

Located in Kolkata, the National Library of India is the nation’s largest library in terms of volume. Housing over 2.2 million books, manuscripts, and records, its purpose is to amass and maintain printed texts made in India. The history of the National Library of India is a fascinating one. Starting off as the Imperial Library (founded in 1891) by merging smaller libraries in the area, it also doubled up as the official residence of the Governor-General of India until Independence. It was only open to government officials, however, restricting the public from accessing texts. In 1948, the new Indian government signed the Imperial Library (Change of Name) Act, resulting in the library being called the National Library. Another change twenty eight years later added ‘of India’ to the library’s name. Furthermore, a decade ago, the building made headlines as the Ministry of Culture decided to restore it. Part of the restoration process resulted in a secret room being found, on the ground floor with no entrances and exits. Many have theorized the purpose of this thousand square foot room, but no proof has ever been found. Due to its historical importance, the library was opened to the public on February 1, 1953, and can now be visited by anyone on any day with the exception of Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti.

The Asiatic Society of Mumbai

Another library that has colonial roots is the library of The Asiatic Society of Mumbai. Created with the goal of “promoting useful knowledge, particularly such as is now immediately connected with India,” the society preserves original documents and texts, conducts research, and acts as a forum to discuss relevant issues. Created as the Literary Society of Bombay in 1804 by Sir James Mackintosh, the organization became affiliated with the Royal Asiatic Society in 1830. A few years after gaining independence, the group separated from the Royal Asiatic Society and has been funded by the central government ever since. The library holds very interesting books, over 15000. Additionally, many thousand ancient manuscripts, including some written on palm leafs. 16th Century illustrated passages from the Mahabharata and the 13th century manuscript of the ‘Vasupujyacharita’ that talks about the twelfth Jain Tirthankara are just some of the historical documents stored. The society also has one of two known original copies of Dante’s Divine Comedy, one of its prized possessions. Although the library is only open to members, all files have been digitised, and can be found easily online.

The Maulana Azad Library

The Maulana Azad Library in Aligarh is the largest university library in Asia. With over 1.8 million books, the library’s impressive collection is matched with an impressive surrounding. Seven storeys high, the building is also bordering 4.75 acres of gardens and lawns. Though only 60 years old, the foundation of the building was laid in 1877 under the name Lytton Library after the then Viceroy of India. Nevertheless, the current building was inaugurated in 1960 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. 

The Saraswathi Mahal Library

The last library on this list is the Saraswathi Mahal Library. Located in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu on the beautiful grounds of the Thanjavur palace, this library is one of the oldest in all of Asia, founded in the 16th century. Apart from the various books, this library also contains many precious ancient manuscripts and texts in a multitude of languages. Started by the Nayak Kings of the region as a private library for their own enjoyment and learning, Saraswathi Mahal was not always open to the public. The Kings however only ruled until 1676. Luckily, their successors, the Maratha rulers who captured Thanjavur improved the library, adding to the collection and employing Pandits to go far and wide across India to find new works. The library was opened to the public in 1918 and anyone can visit.  

India has a plethora of magnificent libraries holding vast amounts of knowledge and culture in many different languages. Take some time to visit one close to you, or if possible, one of these four!

A History of Indians at the Olympics

By Dheer Sanghi

The Olympics, the world’s premier sporting competition, hosts thousands of athletes and over two hundred nations. Originating in Olympia, Ancient Greece, the Olympics have become a staple, bringing in millions of viewers every four years. With the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics well underway, this is as good a time as ever to look back at India’s century-long history at the games. 

Illustration: Sneha Balaji

India first participated during the Paris 1900 Olympics. Though India did not send a team, a Calcutta-born athlete of British nationality named Norman Pritchard won two silver medals in the two hundred metre sprint and two hundred metre hurdle competitions whilst representing India. Both wins were not only historic for India as Pritchard was the first to win an Olympic medal representing an Asian nation. Interestingly enough, historical records of the British team selection show that Pritchard was meant to compete for Great Britain. The International Olympics Committee however still deems those medals to be under India’s name.

The next time Indians took part in the Olympics was in 1920, where they sent six athletes. Though no medals were won that year, it led to India sending a team to every subsequent game, the size of which dramatically increased in recent history. This year a record number one hundred and twenty-seven don Indian jerseys in Tokyo, compared to only six a century ago.

Illustration: Vineet Nair and Harsho Mohan Chattoraj

The last hundred years have resulted in many ‘firsts’ for India and cemented many Indian athletes as at the top of their fields. Inarguably, India was most dominant in, fittingly, its national sport – Field hockey. From 1928 to 1980, India won eight gold medals, one silver medal, and two bronze medals, led by various captains, including Major Dhyan Chand, known as the Wizard of hockey. Born to a Rajput family in Allahabad, Chand joined the British India Army. There he played hockey, developing his talent. Though at first hesitant to focus on sports, he soon exclusively started playing in army tournaments and games, resulting in recognition for his skill. Major Chand’s long list of accomplishments includes three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936 (a year where he captained). In addition to this, Chand was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third most prestigious civilian honour, and his birthday, August 29, is marked as India’s National Sports Day. 

Another icon of Indian athletics who started in the army is Milkha Singh, The Flying Sikh. Growing up orphaned during the partition, Milkha Singh is arguably the nation’s best athlete, receiving the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour. He was the first athlete to win gold in the four hundred metre dash in both the Asian and Commonwealth games and participated in three Olympics, in 1956, 1960, and 1964. Though never winning a medal, his four hundred metre sprint in 1960 has become a worldwide favorite, with Singh being in the lead for most of the race. His superb athletics has also resulted in a biopic named “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,” which shares his life story and the challenges he has had to overcome. 

Milkha Singh is not the only Olympic athlete who has a riveting biopic made after them. Mary Kom, a flyweight boxer hailing from humble beginnings in Manipur has changed the landscape of Indian sports and inspired millions of girls across the globe. Shattering records nationally and internationally, Kom became the first female to win eight championships. Also participating in the London 2012 Olympics, she won a bronze medal, making her the first Indian woman to win a medal in the sport. Since her triumphs in boxing, Mary Kom has become a politician, working to better the lives of her constituents, and has won the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour.

Illustration: ACK Art Team

These three sporting legends, as well as everyone else who takes part in the Olympics under the Tiraṅgā flag, have made Indian athletics what it is today. Older competitors like Leander Paes (tennis doubles superstar) and Khashaba Jadhav (bronze medalist wrestler) set a strong foundation for athletes to come. Abhinav Bindra (India’s only individual gold medalist), Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (a silver medal weightlifter), P.V. Sindhu (a two-time badminton medal winner), and other more recent sportspeople show that Indian sports have a promising future and have been influential to so many.

These Olympics, let’s celebrate India’s long journey during the games and the athletes that make it possible. Go India!

Ochira Kalli

Illustration: Narendra Pardhi

Named after the town it takes place in, Ochira Kalli is a local festival celebrated at the Ochira Parabrahma Temple in Kerala in the month of June. It commemorates the battle of Kayamkulam, which was fought on the fields around the temple. The festival is celebrated through a ritualistic mock battle between two groups in the waterlogged paddy field near the temple. The bulls hold a special place here. Edduppu kaala, huge bull idols, made of hay and cloth are carried from their site of creation to the Ochira temple as a part of the celebration.