The History and Hands Behind Channapatna Craft
More than just wooden toys, these pieces hold 200 years of history. Meet the artisans who keep this tradition alive with every turn of the lathe.
Our story begins in the court of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore. His fascination with a lacquered wooden tiger sparked the birth of this craft, blending Persian lacquer techniques with local timber. This is the first part of our series tracing the fascinating history of Channapatna craft.
When Tipu’s reign ended, the vibrant lacquer studios fell silent. Yet, in humble village workshops, a few families kept the glossy legacy alive, turning wood by hand despite the odds. Through decades of quiet perseverance, the spirit of Channapatna whispered on.
The craft saw a renaissance under the Wodeyars in the 1950s, when master craftsman Bawa Mia was sent to Japan to master urushi lacquer. He returned to found the Lacquer Research Center, blending Japanese finesse with our shellac traditions and securing the craft's future.
Varnam’s story didn’t start with a product. It started with people like Hameed, a master artisan who has been with us from the very beginning. From building our first toys to creating a mobile lathe, Hameed doesn't just shape wood, he shapes our journey.
Meet Pallavi, one of the only women artisans in Channapatna to lead a workshop of her own. In a centuries-old, male-dominated craft, she has carved her place with grit and skill. Her journey from a shy worker to a confident owner is an inspiration.
Design may spark the idea, but it is the artisan who gives it form and soul. Dilip comes from a long line of Channapatna master craftsmen and today runs his own workshop under our guidance. He doesn't just make; he imagines, solves, and designs.
If you’ve walked into our Indiranagar store, you’ve likely been greeted by Arun’s kind smile. He has been with us since our first tiny basement store, growing with us and keeping the spirit of Varnam alive with his quiet dedication and warmth.
About this collection
We don't just sell toys; we share a 200-year-old dialogue between wood and hand. When you pick up a piece, you’re holding work shaped by artisans like Pallavi, one of the few women in Channapatna to lead her own workshop, and Hameed, who has been turning wood with us for 15 years. Every product here, from our iconic tigers to our functional kitchenware, was born from this specific partnership of heritage and modern design. It is not about mass production, but about ensuring that every lathe turn supports a livelihood and keeps a tradition breathing.
A Legacy in Lacquer
The story of Channapatna craft is as colorful as the toys themselves. It traces back to the court of Tipu Sultan, who, inspired by a Persian gift of a lacquered wooden tiger, invited artisans to Srirangapatna to fuse Persian technique with local timber. Centuries later, during the Wodeyar renaissance in the 1950s, master craftsman Bawa Mia traveled to Japan to study Urushi lacquer, returning to Mysore to blend Japanese precision with our traditional shellac methods.
The Varnam Difference
At Varnam, we treat this history not as a relic, but as a living practice. We moved away from the 'cheap and quick' model that threatened the craft's extinction. Instead, we work directly with artisans like Pallavi and Hameed, ensuring they are not just laborers, but partners who design and innovate.
- Fair Practice: We avoid the industry standard of 'wet wood' or cheap, non-seasoned timber. We pay for quality, ensuring artisans can sustain their families without compromising the craft.
- Modern Utility: We adapted traditional lac-turnery to create items for the modern home—napkin rings, salt shakers, and stationery—proving that heritage has a place in our daily lives.
- Empowerment: We’ve helped our master artisans, like Pallavi, set up their own independent production units, fostering a new generation of craft entrepreneurs rather than just factory workers.
More Than a Souvenir
When you see a Varnam piece, you are looking at 'The joy of just enough'. It is about the curve of a lid, the taper of a beak, and the natural dyes that are safe for your little ones to hold. This is a conversation between hand and heritage, and we are grateful you chose to listen.
Varnam Craft Collective
We’re Varnam. Craft’s our heartbeat, not the algorithm. I started out dreaming music and ended up spinning stories with wood and colour, working alongside artisans like Hameed and Pallavi who are the true soul of what we do.
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