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Karnataka

The carved legacy of Karnataka’s Koppal: Kinhal Toys

Wooden marvels from an idyllic village

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An idyllic village by the river

As the Tungabhadra River flows through the lands of Karnataka, it gathers the stories of the lands and carries it within its currants. Based on the west of this river’s flow, in the heart of the state, lies sun-drenched village of Kinhal in Koppal district. With palm fronds swaying along vibrant fields, it looks like a typical postcard village. But Kinhal is special in how a different rhythm plays under this idyllic façade; it is a symphony of the scraping chisels on the beats of the hammers, for this is how the Kinhal crafts, especially toys, come to life here. 

Historical roots of Kinhal Toys

The artistic spirit of Kinhal is far from a recent bloom. Its roots run deep into the Kannada soil, entwining itself with the remnants of the Vijayanagara Empire which flourished between 14th and 17th century. Kinhal Toys are thus atleast 500 years old. Under the reign of Vijayanagara kings, Kinhal Toys thrived as it enjoyed royal patronage. The majestic murals of magnificent temples such as Andhra Pradesh’s Lepakshi Temple and Hampi’s Pampatheswara temple served as inspiration to the skilled artisans that carved their stories into wood. Their creations – intricate toys, vibrant idols, and perhaps even pieces for palaces and chariots – earned them immense respect. The Vijayanagara kings, recognizing the talent of the artisans awarded them Kinhal as an Inam (prize), a special land grant.

After the fall of Vijayanagara in 1665, the craft found new patrons. The Nawab of Koppal, the Desais of Kinhal, and most notably, the Nawab Salar Jung of Hyderabad, all ensured in their own way that this artistic legacy wouldn't be forgotten. Their support allowed Kinhal's artisans to continue honing their craft, keeping the flame of tradition alive.


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Tools of the Chitragars

Kinhal toys are the intellectual legacy of a specific community of Bellary and Koppal districts known as the Chitragars. They boast of rich thematic and cultural heritage of hand painted wooden articles, mainly revolving around the gods and goddesses of Vaishnavism and Shaivism. Toys crafted at Kinhal are fashioned out of both soft wood such as White Catamaran tree, Ivory wood and Drumstick, as well as hard wood such as Neem, Mango, and Tamarind tree wood.

Special pastes and mixtures are created in an eco-friendly manner for the assembly of the toys. The Sari is a paste made of crushed tamarind seeds that serves as an adhesive. The Kitta is made from a combination of Sari, sawdust and jute rags and is utilised to correct malformations. Gachu is prepared from powdered stone, liquid gum and glue, prepared to be used for embossing jewellery items. Bright colours hue the toys created from the rigours of the Chitragars. The final touch to the toys come from a coat of varnish that helps preserve the colours while adding a gloss.

A piece of Kinhal for every home

Kinhal toys have long been treasured collectibles among both tourists and collectors. Idols of Hindu deities, palanquins, animals, models of fruits and vegetables, stools, masks, cradles and statues – these are only some of the items from the impressive range of products manufactured at Kinhal. In 2012, the Kinhal Toys were granted the Geographical Indications (GI) tag, protecting the intellectual legacy of the Chitragar community. By taking home one of these examples of fine craftsmanship, one gains a souvenir for life, a majestic reminder of travels to this blessed country.