Artisans seek GI tag for Ambasamudram wooden toys

CHENNAI: Artisans hand-crafting famous wooden lacquered ‘

Choppu saman

’ (wooden toys) of Ambasamudram have now sought geographical indication (

GI

) tag for the toys.

Painted in vibrant colours using natural dyes, the choppu set comprises miniature kitchen utensils, tables and chairs, and they used to be the dream-possession of children.

Only seasoned wooden logs, natural colours and lac resin, besides thaalampoo, are used as raw materials to make these toys, says

IPR

attorney and GI agent P

Sanjai Gandhi

, who has filed the GI application on behalf of Ambasamudram Bharani Mara

Varna Kadasal Artisans

’ Welfare Association in Tirunelveli district.

Ambasamudram wooden toys

stand apart from other innovative toys because of their eco-friendly and non-toxic vegetable colour dyes. The toys are ideal for children as they are not hazardous, simple, vibrantly coloured, safe and attractive.

Earlier, wooden toys were made from various trees such as manjal kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba), teak and rosewood. A tree species — Neolamarckia Cadamba, belonging to Rubiaceae -- is considered to be the true kadamba tree associated with ancient religious and cultural traditions. After its availability became scarce, toy makers shifted to rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus globulus).

The wood is air-seasoned in traditional way, which takes six to nine months, said Sanjai Gandhi, adding that they are then cut into a foot-long pieces before hand-carved using simple lathe tools. Leaves of a screw pine (

Pandanus

odoratissimus – in Tamil ‘Thalampoo) are used for polishing after lacquering on wood. The selection of the leaf is important to get the desired finish. Attractive toys are made only from unbloomed screw pine plant leaf, grown in the riverside of Thamirabharani river banks, he said.

Artisans of Ambasamudram then apply their expertise honed over a period of about two centuries to bring out toys that look classic with natural wood finish and bright organic colours. “Wooden toys are highly durable and can last for generations and safe to play and cannot break into small pieces which a child could swallow, said Sanjai Gandhi. Since only natural colours are used, even if a child chews or sucks, there will be no harm done, he added.

Products like choppu set, spinning top, cart, cradle sticks, cooking sets, aeroplanes, rail engine, jewel box, mandap, pen stand, roti plank and roller, and other durables are popular in the market.


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