Lathe Work - Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom

Wooden Lathe Toys ~ Varanasi

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:27:10 +0000

The Wooden lathe toys of Varanasi, made on lathe (turning machine), are commonly known as lacquerware toys. These toys are simply fashioned and brightly lacquered, which gives them their distinctive identity, earning them the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2015. They are crafted by skilled artisans in the colonies of Kashmiriganj and Khojwa in Varanasi. The artisans practising this craft belong to the Kunder Kharadi Samaj.

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Wooden toys~Etikoppaka

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:32:24 +0000

On the banks of river Varaha in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, a small village called Etikoppaka is located. Over hundreds of years, this village has gained popularity for its traditional Indian handicraft- The Etikoppaka toys or Etikoppaka Bommalu. These toys can be seen as a reflection of the people living in this village- simple, innocent and beautiful. The artisans undertake an elaborate process for making each of these toys. This process of Etikoppaka toy making is known as ‘turned wood lacquer craft’ or ‘Tharini.’

The Etikoppaka toys imbibe a certain childlike innocence and whole-heartedly embrace the artisans’ creativity that covers all dimensions and panels. These toys are not only small pockets joy but also expressions of the journey of Indian artisans who have been engaged in this profession since the rule of Rajas and Maharajas. They tell us a story of how times come and go, rulers rise and fall, mankind experiences days filled with warm sunshine and cold harsh rains, however, art continues to be created and cherished. These toys carry within themselves a certain historicity that connects and links the children of today to the children of the past. The soft surface of the toys remind us of our mother’s embrace and the durability of the toy reminds us of our father’s protectiveness, thereby serving as emblems of our own childhood days.

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Lathe Work~Sheopur

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:42:37 +0000

Soft wood spins on the lathe from morning to twilight, metamorphosing into beautiful objects and shapes. The art of making Lacquer ware is a thriving traditional craft, once reserved to royal patronage, it quickly found its place in crafting various items of both decorative and functional uses.

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Lathe Work~Budhni

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Mon, 28 May 2012 10:18:00 +0000

Colour permeates every single activity in an Indian’s life, more so in our villages. Colour pervades not just the gorgeous clothes of the people but even the small, nondescript items of everyday use. Spoons and ladles, chakla -“ belan (board and rolling pin), toys, stools, danDiya sticks, everything is covered with patterns and merging strips of contrasting colours. With dexterous hands and a hint of colour, wood lacquering is a fast-paced process that produces brightly coloured objects with eye catching designs. Most of the process of making lacquer-ware is done on a manual lathe, while ‘lac’ mixed with dyes is used to colour.

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