Varnam Craft Collective

About

I don’t see toys as just playthings. What we make at Varnam is a mix of art, culture, and nostalgia, all told through wood and color. Every piece is shaped by our artisans in Channapatna, Karnataka, using a 200-year-old craft that’s still going strong, even if it’s a quiet strength.

The Craft in Every Toy

• All our toys are made with 'Aale mara' wood, known for being safe and gentle, even if your kid’s the type to chew on everything.
• We use lac-turnery and only natural, non-toxic dyes and shellac - nothing harsh, just old-school methods that work.
• The glossy, smooth finish? That’s from hours of care, not shortcuts.

Who Makes It Matter

We’re producers, not middlemen. The faces you don’t see - like Pallavi running her own workshop or Hameed who’s been turning wood with us for 15 years - are the real heart of what we do. For us, keeping this tradition alive is personal.

Not Just for Kids

• Our Channapatna wooden toys are more than cute - they help kids with fine motor skills and problem solving.
• Gombes and figurines root you in traditions like Dasara Golu, and yes, they double up as home decor.
• Eco-friendly Indian games, from Chess to 'Aadu Hulli Aata', come with portable mats and quirky pawns - easy to carry, fun for any age.

If you want something that’s handcrafted, honest, and a little bit nostalgic, you’ll probably find it here.