Karnataka’s Channapatna is famed for its wood and lacquer toys, carved from ivory wood from a local deciduous tree. The town’s toymaking industry dates back to the 1700s when Tipu Sultan, ruler of the then kingdom of Mysore, asked artists from Persia to train the locals. Rising competition from mass-produced toys, including cheap replicas made in China, has cast a shadow on the industry in the town. The government pledged a scheme aimed at making India a global hub for innovative and unique toys that showcased local culture this month. But toy maker B Venkatesh warned his trade would \”perish in the long run\” if more support was not given to the art form. He said: \”When we dry the ivory wood properly, and apply lacquer and vegetable dyes, the toys will remain the same for hundreds of years\” He is one of around 2,500 artisans who make the toys in the small town.