Andhra Pradesh: Mere toys in the hands of fate

Toymakers of Kondapalli finding it hard to procure softwood Tella Poniki, which was once abundant in the area
Andhra Pradesh: Mere toys in the hands of fate

VIJAYAWADA: Tella Poniki, which is known as the white sander in English, is the lifeblood of 'Kondapalli' toymakers.

‘Jiuotia Rotteri Fromis’ is the botanical name of the soft wood.

The soft and malleable wood, which takes shape of beautiful toys based on various themes including those from Hindu Mythology and often depicts rural life, was abundant in Kondapalli Forest in Krishna district.

But today, the toymakers of Kondapalli, located some 17 km from Vijayawada, are finding it hard to procure the softwood, which is becoming scarcer by the day. "During our grandfathers and fathers time, the needed wood for toy making used to available in our backyards. But today, we have to purchase the wood from others at premium price,” says Udayagiri Suryaprakash, one of the veteran toymakers in Kondapalli.

Sometimes, the artisan, who numbered around 200 belonging to 80 families, has to even procure the wood that is illegally felled and sold and at jacked up prices. “We have no other go, but to get the wood, without which Kondapalli toys cannot be made. Tella Poniki is the essential raw material,” Sk Muskan, another toymaker said.

The softwood previously was also used in making wooden suitcases and the unchecked felling of the trees to meet the demand all those years ago, saw it get dwindling and today, it is scarce raw material. “Even though Tella Poniki is now being used exclusively by Kondapalli toymakers, still, there is a shortage of the wood,” Suryaprakash said.

Now, for the optimal use of the softwood, the toymakers are replacing the base of the toys with MDC type plywood. “We can only use other wood as the base, that too only for some toys. If the base needs to be carved, other types of wood are not suitable. As for the main part of the toy, Tella Poniki wood is irreplaceable,” explained another artisan, who refused to give his name.

Dwindling raw materials has put the lives of Kondapalli toymakers in jeopardy and the continuation of the art of toy making that was passed down from generation to generation for the last 400 years to the next generation has become doubtful.

Since there is no alternative wood for making Kondapalli toys, conservation of the existing trees become paramount. “There were efforts to grow Tella Poniki trees in different plantations, but it ended in failure. However, efforts are still being made. The wood of Tella Poniki is sweet, more so when the tree is young, hence it becomes victims to termites and birds,” explained Suryaprakash.

Now with Capital City Amaravati taking shape, a part of Kondapalli Reserve Forest is proposed to get denotified, which has posed a threat to Tella Poniki.

Wood bank

In such circumstances, the Forest Department took an initiative and came out with proposal of ‘Wood Bank’. The objective is an unhindered supply of Tela Ponik and regulated fashion, which is legal. Apart from growing Tella Poniki in a scientific manner in four plantations to be managed by Vana Samrakshana Samithis, the trees, which are located in the area, that is proposed for denotification will be translocated to other parts of the forest.

According to JSN Murthy, the Chief Conservator of the Forest who conceived the idea of food bank, there are 2,400 trees, that can yield 480 cubic meters of softwood. Kondapalli toymakers need 35 cubic metres of softwood per year. It was decided that hereafter the needed wood be sourced out through the woodbank to the toymaker and at the same time they will also be charged with developing Tella Poniki plantation in five hectares every years for next 20 years.

Can the proposed wood bank conserve Tella Poniki and at the same time ensure the ‘art of Kondapalli Toys Making’ continues for future generations? Only time will tell.

> Kondapalli Toys are made of softwood known as Tella Poniki

> 80 families and 200 people eke out living by making Kondapalli Toys.

> 2,400 Tella Poniki trees that can yield 2,400 cubic meters are there in 800 hectares.

> They are to be conserved through four Vana Samrakshana Samithis

> Toymakers need 36 cubic meters per year and one cubic meter costs Rs 4000

> Through proposed wood bank two cubic meters of Tella Poniki Wood to be supplied.

> Five acres of Tella Ponki plantations to be developed every year for next 20 years.

> Proposals to introduce machines for wood cutting in different sizes as per the requirement of toy makers in order to reduce wastage of wood.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com