Latest news with #Karnataka
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Centuries-old toymaking tradition lives on in southern India
NEW DELHI: For as long as he can remember, the wooden toys of Channapatna have been a part of Suhel Parvez's life. As family members carefully tended the centuries-old art of toy making, Parvez grew up watching unique colors and intricate designs come to life. 'I have been brought up seeing these, because in our home (in) every place they worked on this,' Parvez told Arab News. Today, the 35-year-old is one of a few thousand local artisans working to keep the craft alive. 'I am the fifth-generation artisan, and we are continuing the legacy of our ancestors who started this,' he said. In the southern Indian state of Karnataka, thanks to a traditional form of toy-making that can be traced back to the 18th century, Channapatna is popularly known as the 'toy town,' or 'gombegala ooru.' According to local artisans, the craft started in the region after Tipu Sultan, the Muslim ruler of the kingdom of Mysore, asked artists from Persia to train the locals. From dolls to spinning tops, Channapatna's toys are carved from local ivory wood and dipped in bright colors made from natural ingredients, such as turmeric and indigo. While they were once all hand-carved, artisans have since begun to use some machines to keep the industry competitive. In India, the craft is protected as a geographical indication, or GI, which is a form of intellectual property under the World Trade Organization. The toys — popular for their long-lasting quality — have also made international headlines throughout the years. In 2010 they experienced a boom after former US First Lady Michelle Obama bought some during one of her visits to New Delhi. In 2025, as wooden toys regain popularity across the world due to their eco-friendly qualities, craftsmen like Parvez are seeing new opportunities opening up. 'Many countries are boycotting plastic material, and for child safety people are moving slowly towards wooden toys. We have good opportunities in coming years,' Parvez said. His Bharath Arts and Crafts unit produces traditional toys the region is known for, and also more modern versions of those often used for educational purposes. 'We don't involve any chemical process in that … right from sourcing tools (to the) end, final product, this will be a 100 percent chemical-free process,' he added, referring to the Channapatna toys. 'Apart from that we have one more (type) known as modern toys or educational toys which are made out of synthetic colors which are non-toxic.' While Parvez and his fellow craftsmen have exported their products to the US, UK and Australia, he says the Middle East and Africa are emerging markets for the wooden toys of southern India. 'We have very good markets (in the) Middle East and African countries — these are the emerging opportunities for us,' he said. These days, Channapatna's toy making industry mostly comprises seasoned artisans, those who have been in the field for decades, according to local craftsman Srinivasa Kariappa. 'Those who are working in the industry have at least 15 or 20 years of experience, new people are not joining,' he told Arab News. The 37-year-old, who runs Harsha Industries, believes that there is still time to welcome new people to preserve the tradition. 'Handwork is important in Channapatna toys,' he said. 'The government should open a training center where a new set of people can come and join the toy industry. We need new families and people to join the industry and expand (it).'
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
To become a king or a slave is your choice, DKS tells students
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday advised students that they have a choice to become a king by studying well or to become a servant by not focussing on studies. 'Studying well will pave the way in all fields, otherwise you will end up being a servant. The choice is yours. Where there is will there is way, but hard work is important,' he told the government school students while speaking at the 'School Commencement 2025-26' event in Adugodi. 'If we sow good seeds, we get good crops. Similarly, we get good citizens if we sow the seeds of knowledge. Students are our assets and the government is committed to provide them all that they need. Students should dream big and work hard towards their dream. Discipline is important in this journey. You dream should be not just to get an employment but to employ many people,' he added. 'India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru termed children treasure of the country. Education is such a treasure that it can't be destroyed by anyone or anything. I joined politics when I was a student and hence could not focus on education. I realised lack education when I went to the Assembly and heard learned people speaking in the House. I decided to get my degree from Open University at the age of 47. That degree gave me more satisfaction than my accomplishments in politics.' 'Our government is working towards upgrading 2000 government schools to Karnataka Public Schools. We are trying to resolve the shortage of teachers by drawing them from private schools as well. Many Organisations have come forward to build these schools. Ramalinga Reddy has created history by upgrading all government schools in his constituency into Karnataka Public schools,' he said.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Hazelwood helps Challengers to IPL final
IPL: Josh Hazlewood helped his Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the IPL final, beating Marcus Stoinis and Ricky Ponting's Punjab Kings.
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
Kohli closes on maiden IPL title as Bengaluru reach final
Virat Kohli inched closer to a maiden Indian Premier League title after Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrashed Punjab Kings by eight wickets in a lopsided qualifier to reach the final of the 10-team tournament. A superlative performance by their bowlers in Thursday's game left Bengaluru needing only 102 to make Sunday's final and they reached the target in just 10 overs with opener Phil Salt, who made 56 not out, leading the charge. Punjab can still make the final if they can win the second qualifier against the winner of Friday's eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. Kohli made 12, but has been Bengaluru's leading scorer this season. The former India captain has been with the franchise since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league. Bengaluru reached the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but were beaten on all three occasions. 'It's a great feeling right now,' Salt said. 'Obviously, we had a second bite at the cherry, but it's such a good feeling to get that out of the way first-time. 'It just gives us that momentum. It's such a cliche, but it's so true at the back end of the tournament.' Bengaluru have looked formidable this season and, electing to field, their fiery pace attack, led by a returning Josh Hazlewood, bundled out Punjab in 14.1 overs. Having recovered from a shoulder niggle, Hazlewood led Bengaluru's superb pace display as they reduced Punjab to 71-7 at the halfway stage of their innings. Hazlewood's (3-21) victims included rival skipper Shreyas Iyer, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed the important wicket of Prabhsimran Singh, Punjab's leading scorer this season. Marcus Stoinis made 26 before losing his stumps to leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, who claimed 3-17 in his three overs. Kyle Jamieson removed Kohli in the fourth over, but Bengaluru raced to 61-1 in their six powerplay overs, compared with Punjab's 48-4, with Salt hitting boundaries almost at will. Salt took 23 balls to bring up his fifty and skipper Rajat Patidar hit a six to seal Bengaluru's victory in a match that lasted only 24.1 overs.
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
RCB-Punjab Kings: Kohli closes on maiden IPL title as Bengaluru reach final
Virat Kohli inched closer to a maiden Indian Premier League title after Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrashed Punjab Kings by eight wickets in a lopsided qualifier to reach the final of the 10-team tournament. A superlative performance by their bowlers in Thursday's game left Bengaluru needing only 102 to make Sunday's final and they reached the target in just 10 overs with opener Phil Salt, who made 56 not out, leading the charge. Punjab can still make the final if they can win the second qualifier against the winner of Friday's eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. Kohli made 12, but has been Bengaluru's leading scorer this season. The former India captain has been with the franchise since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league. Bengaluru reached the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but were beaten on all three occasions. 'It's a great feeling right now,' Salt said. 'Obviously, we had a second bite at the cherry, but it's such a good feeling to get that out of the way first-time. 'It just gives us that momentum. It's such a cliche, but it's so true at the back end of the tournament.' Bengaluru have looked formidable this season and, electing to field, their fiery pace attack, led by a returning Josh Hazlewood, bundled out Punjab in 14.1 overs. Having recovered from a shoulder niggle, Hazlewood led Bengaluru's superb pace display as they reduced Punjab to 71-7 at the halfway stage of their innings. Hazlewood's (3-21) victims included rival skipper Shreyas Iyer, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed the important wicket of Prabhsimran Singh, Punjab's leading scorer this season. Marcus Stoinis made 26 before losing his stumps to leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, who claimed 3-17 in his three overs. Kyle Jamieson removed Kohli in the fourth over, but Bengaluru raced to 61-1 in their six powerplay overs, compared with Punjab's 48-4, with Salt hitting boundaries almost at will. Salt took 23 balls to bring up his fifty and skipper Rajat Patidar hit a six to seal Bengaluru's victory in a match that lasted only 24.1 overs.
