కొండపల్లి బొమ్మలు

VIJAYAWADA: At a time when persons engaged in traditional occupations are dwindling, the number of artisans of Kondapalli toys are increasing.

At least 40 percent more households have taken to toy making as it has become attractive due to the efforts of Lanco Group which has a 368 MW power plant in the village near here.

One artisan, whose forefathers migrated to Kondapalli from Rajasthan about 400 years ago, said that it has been a struggle for survival for his family but now they are earning over Rs 12,000 per month, an income that keeps them well off, by village standards of living.

Likewise, the incomes all of the 60 families traditionally engaged in toy making have increased with difference of degrees. In each of these households, the man makes the toys and the women and children paint them.

Increase in their incomes have attracted about 25 households in the neighbouring villages to toy manufacture. The men in these households worked as carpenters earlier earning upwards of Rs 125 per day in the nearby Vijayawada. That they were attracted to making toys shows it has become more paying.

Lanco constructed a common facility centre at a cost of Rs 12 lakh. It arranged for training of artisans in usage of natural vegetable dyes, instead of enamel paints, thereby improving their exportability.

It also arranged for training by National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) for development of contemporary toys. To enhance supply of white sanders, the ultra light and soft wood that is used by these artisans, Lanco is coordinating with Forest Department to raise plantations.

Apart from capacity-building measures, Lanco boosted the pride of the artisans by making Kondapalli toys as their corporate gifts, sending a couple of artisans to World Telugu Federation Conference held in Singapore. Lanco is now coordinating with the State Government to send some artisans to Europe.

On market development front, Lanco sponsored stalls at various exhibitions throughout the country. More significant measure is the funding for registration of Geographical Indication (GI).

With such registration, toys made in other places cannot be passed off as Kondapalli toys and thereby protect the long-term interests of these artisans.

Courtesy: NewIndPress