Toys and Dolls

India has a rich tradition of toys and dolls. Every nook and corner of India has its own treasure of traditional toys and dolls. For may Indians, making toys and dolls was an essential means of livelihood. Toys and dolls are not only essential play objects for children but also decorative pieces of art. They are available in different shapes and sizes. While toys can assume all sorts of imaginary objects starting from animals, birds, human figures, balls, carts , rattles, dolls are representatives of human figures alone, specially girls. Dolls look attractive , charming and liked by everyone due to their nostalgic value, beauty, historical importance and financial value. In historical times, dolls were used as representations of a deity in religious ceremonies and rituals.

Material Used
Dolls and toys are made from a wide variety of materials like :

• Clay
• Cloth
• Paper
• Plastic
• Porcelain
• Resin
• Rubber
• Wax
• Wood
• Bone
• Ivory
• Leather etc.

Types of Dolls
There is a wide variety of dolls. The list is endless and beyond anyone imagination. Few popular types of dolls are :

• Bisque dolls: It is one of the most popular types of doll. All of them generally represent children.
• Carton dolls : They are made from papier-mache. Carton dolls have their head and torso made from carton. These heads are then attached on kid bodies.
  
  
• Worsted dolls: These dolls were commercially produced and have stockinette faces and worst hair. Their clothes were crocheted and cloth features were used on the faces with buttons or beads for their eyes.
  
  
• String puppets: String puppets in India are very traditional and used from ancient times. They are crafted and designed in such a way that they can be traced to the antiquity. They provide a glimpse of truly Indian life and society. The puppets are generally two feet in height having a wooden head with an enormous nose and large eyes. The rest of the body is made of colorful and bright pieces of cloth and stuffed rags which also allow for free movement.
  
  
• Celluloid dolls: These dolls have either straight or bent limbs. Their hair and clothes are molded. Celluloid dolls are usually larger in size and they use wigs.
  
  
• Wooden dolls: It is one of the kind of doll which is used for commercial, folk art and homemade.
  
  
• Wax dolls: These dolls are used in the ancient times. Wax dolls are perishable and expensive dolls which look very artistic.
  
  
• Metal Dolls: These doll heads are stamped out of sheet metal and the two halves were welded together.
  
  
• Cloth Dolls : Cloth dolls are varied in sizes shapes and forms. They are very popular and are used as a play toy among children.

Craftsmen Skill
Some of the places which are famous for the manufacturing and designing of dolls and toys with different materials are :

• Madhya Pradesh: It is famous for the handmade clay toys casted in hollow shapes though solid figures . Figures like horses, elephants, dogs, lions, birds, deer and bulls fixed on wheels are very popular with children.
  
  
• Tamil Nadu: It is famous for terracotta toys ,dolls and excellent workmanship and fine coloring.
  
  
• West Bengal: It is famous for the common craft dolls which are beautifully decorated and are very stylish as they are dressed at par with the latest fashion.
  
  
• Assam: Assam is famous for its most ethnic and the traditional dolls and toys. Dolls are made up of clay, pith, wood , bamboo, cloth and mud.
  
  
• Orissa: It is famous for manufacturing and designing of most stylish dolls. These dolls and toys are richly carved and ornamented.
  
  
• Rajasthan: Rajasthan is highly popular for its string puppets dolls also known as kathputhlis. The costumes of them are very regional and traditional

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