Archive · 5 Sep 2025
Vanishing Toys: Bengal's Handmade Toys Fade from Childhoods
Once upon a time, kids in Bengal played with toys made by hand.
These toys, like little carts and spinning tops, were made from things like wood and clay.
The toy makers lived in villages and made these toys to sell.
But now, these toys are becoming rare because new toys like video games and plastic toys are more popular.
The old toys are special because they were made with care, and they told stories about the place where they were made.
Handmade toys were once a common part of childhood in Bengal.
Toys were made from materials like wood, clay, and palm leaves.
Toy-making was a community livelihood in many villages.
Mass-produced toys and modern entertainment have replaced traditional toys.
Some craftsmen continue to make these handmade toys.
- Who
- Toy-makers and children in Bengal.
- What
- Handmade toys like Tomtom Garis and Lattus are disappearing.
- When
- These toys were common for generations but are now fading.
- Where
- Bengal, India, particularly rural areas.
- Why
- Due to the rise of mass-produced toys and modern entertainment.
- Key Toys Mentioned
- Tomtom Gari, Damru, Taalpatar Sepoy, Lattu, Natungram Dolls, Clay Dolls, Shola Toys, Bankura Horses/Elephants, Wooden Birds/Animals, Bamboo Toys, Putul Nach, Stone Utensils
- Primary Materials
- Clay, Wood, Palm Leaves, Shola Pith, Bamboo, Stone
- Affected Regions
- Birbhum, Nadia, Burdwan, South 24 Parganas, Midnapore, Murshidabad, Bankura, Malda, Cooch Behar, Howrah, Purulia, Krishnanagar
- Modern Replacements
- Television screens, mobile games, and plastic toys