Toys

From the very early times, toys were used as objects of amusement for children. The excavation at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa brought to light a few toys. Wood is one of the materials used for toys in many parts of India. In many centres of South India, wooden toy industry has been carried on traditionally and it has been the main occupation for a number of families. Vellore, Kondapalli and Tirupati are the main centres of toy making. The themes for these toys are drawn from Hindu religion and mythology. Besides the religious themes, the products of this old industry also include the models of animals, birds, human beings, house etc. For most of the toys, the craftsmen of Tirupati makes use of red wood; the colour of the wood itself serves as colour for the toys.

Exhibited in the toys show-case is the Kondapalli toys, made from the wood of 'Wrightia tinctoria'. Toys made of sandalwood and also lacquered toys are also kept on display.