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Handcrafted Decorative Dolls & Festive Traditions

byVarnam Craft CollectiveStores in Bengaluru, Mysuru & Goa; Ships across IndiaStarts from₹850 per piece / setView full gallery

Bring home the rich heritage of Channapatna with our hand-painted wooden dolls, reviving centuries of festive stories for your modern space.

There’s something about Theyyam, the colours, the energy, the sheer power of its presence. Our bauble-head and stacking Theyyam dolls, handcrafted in bold vermillion and sunset orange, are a miniature celebration of this folk soul from Kerala.

Our stacking Theyyam doll is a contemporary take on Channapatna toys. Each time you stack its parts differently, it takes on a new 'Roopa' or Avatar, just like the many vibrant forms of this powerful folk dance. A tribute to tradition, reimagined.

Kathakali is a major theatrical dance form from Kerala, known for its elaborate costumes and painted faces. Our Kathakali dolls capture this essence, with a glossy lac-turnery base and hand-painted details, reviving the doll stories of Channapatna.

Our Dasara Gombe Classics, the Basavas (bulls) and Mysuru Gaja (elephants), are back in stock. These bestsellers are a tribute to the grand Dasara processions and are handcrafted by our artisans in Channapatna.

This traditional Ganesha is handcrafted by our artisans from Channapatna, reviving a decade-old tradition of making dolls for the festive season. Each piece is made from safe, medicinal wood and painted with non-toxic colours.

The festive season is here, and we are excited for our Varnam toy family to find new homes. These glossy, colourful, and hand-painted dolls represent decades of a tradition that is characteristic of Channapatna.

Navratri is the time when we showcase the hand-painted wooden dolls we have revived over the years. These dolls, born from the rich heritage of Channapatna, whisper of simpler times and celebrate India’s vibrant cultural history.

Our classic Kathakali and new Theyyam bobbleheads have been an absolute hit. We've made them available as a special gift set for the Onam season, a true collector's set for anyone who loves the beauty of Kerala.

These Theyyam dolls are part of our effort to revitalize Channapatna's toy-making craft. This image shows the stacking doll, which can be reassembled in different forms, and a candle holder version, blending tradition with function.

This classic set of three bandwalas is one of the most traditional and oldest doll designs from Channapatna. It captures the spirit of Indian festivities and is a beautiful addition to any Golu display.

About Decorative Dolls & Festive Traditions

These aren't your typical mass-produced toys. Each doll is turned from Aale Mara—a medicinal wood—and finished with non-toxic, glossy lacquer by our artisans in Channapatna. Because they are hand-painted works of fine art, we recommend them primarily as decor for your bookshelves, mantels, or festive Golu displays rather than as playthings for children.

Reviving 200-year-old Channapatna craft traditions — Approved by the tribe
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Varnam Craft Collective

Stores in Bengaluru, Mysuru & Goa; Ships across IndiaStarts from ₹850 per piece / set

Hi, I'm Karthik. At Varnam, we don't just sell dolls; we keep the 200-year-old Channapatna tradition breathing. Every piece is a story of craft, support for our artisan families, and a little bit of culture for your home.

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