Kinhal Toys
Figurines and Toys
History
Kinnal craft, also known as Kinhal craft, is a traditional wooden craft originating from the town of Kinhal (or Kinnal) in Karnataka, India. This town is renowned for its beautifully crafted Kinhal toys and religious idols. Historically, Kinhal was a flourishing centre for various crafts, with wood carvings and famous mural paintings in the Pampapateshwara Temple and the intricate wooden chariot at Hampi.
Raw Materials and Tools
Raw Materials: Wood (plant material), sawdust.
Tools: Traditional carpentry and painting tools such as chisels, carving knives, files, brushes, and cutting tools used by the artisans.
Process
Kinhal craft involves crafting lightweight wooden toys using layers of tamarind seed and sawdust paste. Each layer is dried, sanded, and detailed with chalk paint. A paste called kitta, made from jute rags, sawdust, and tamarind, is hand-applied, followed by pebble paste. Cotton is added for texture, and embossed ornamentation is created with pebble powder and gum. The final piece is intricately painted, reflecting Kinhal’s rich artistic tradition.
Design and Color
The wooden toys from the small village of Kinhal, painted in a wide array of vibrant colours, have gained international recognition. “Chitragaras,” a community of artisans, dedicate themselves to the preservation and evolution of this unique art form.
Product Range
Previously, Kinhal toys often depicted people engaged in various occupations. However, the current preference has shifted towards figures of animals and birds.