Etikoppaka is a small village about 1 km square on the banks of the river Varaha. It’s exactly what the name translates to: a group of homes on the river’s edge. Its name conceals what it’s known for universally: one of India’s finest wood crafts.
Mr Pedapati working on adding colour to the Etikoppaka product
There are about 100 artisan families in the village, working on and practicing the craft. Similar to its Karnataka cousin, the more famous Channapatna, the artisans work on natural ivorywood (botanical name: Wrightia tinctoria) to create the striking pieces.
Mr Nani Pedapati, Club Artizen’s partner, does not remember a time when the household did not make Etikoppaka toys.
The soft Ankudu wood used to make the Etikoppaka products.
‘Must be generations old,’ he says. His family, like most others, are all involved in the making of the Etikoppaka products. History traces the craft back to the 18th century, when it moved to its current location, having proximity to the Rajah of Vijayanagara, great patrons of the art.
The process is done from start to finish in and near the village: the wood is harvested, the dyes made naturally, and the toys shaped and coloured. The basic colours are made through natural methods: boiling the seeds of the Bixa tree provides the red colour, while turmeric is used for yellow and indigo for blue. Iron rust and jaggery combined yield the characteristic black used for minute painting on the toys.
While many families have had to resort to acrylic colours, a few families, like Nani’s, stick to natural dyes. ‘It’s a time-consuming process, and each toy is worth it, being sculpted by humans,’ says Nani garu.
Earlier, the craft mainly made toys; however, of late, different products are being explored.
Club Artizen partners with Nani Pedapati’s family to offer festive products that signify prosperity and well-being. Our tealight holders are a perfect fit for festive hampers, and the bride and groom set is a perfect wedding return gift.
Our Etikoppaka Products
