Family doll sets, spinning tops and ethnic decor

INDIAN TOYS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON 

When the idea of creating traditional Indian toys first came to Bharathi, it was mostly for her six-year-old daughter. “There were no affordable Indian toys in the market. The ones I found were designed for people living abroad. They were out of reach for middle-class buyers,” she says.

It was Bharathi’s close association with artisans that gave her the confidence to start her own brand. She started Diyas Decoratives in 2017 to revive, revisit and reintroduce traditional crafts, first through toys and then later through other products.

She began with handcrafted toys, particularly pitthu, doll sets, lattu and wooden tic tac toe. Soon these became go-to birthday gifts for the children in her close circle.

Diyas Decoratives has tied up with self-help groups and now supports the livelihoods of more than 275 rural artisans from 15 regions in India. Around 170 artisans work exclusively for her brand.

Diyas Decoratives takes care to ensure that the materials and colours used are non-toxic, eco-friendly and safe for children of all ages. “Each product has a specific story behind it, a pair of hands that crafted it and a lot of emotion poured into it,” says Bharathi. The family doll set and spinning tops are priced at Rs 380, the hand-painted piggy bank is for Rs 350 and the Channapatna set of four toys is for Rs 550. “Everyone should be able to afford and experience Indian toys,” says Bharathi.

Diyas Decoratives has also branched out into selling earrings, trinket boxes, trendy bangles and colourful idols. Their most recent addition is a traditional set of dolls and idols curated for the festival of Navratri. These have been crafted by artisans from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Baby Ganesha idols by artisans from Kondapalli were loved by many during the just-concluded Ganesh Chaturthi festivities. 

“More than the brand and our products, it is the artisans who deserve to be appreciated,” says Bharathi, who has been lobbying for artisan visibility for a long time. A new studio with a vibrant display of the products has just opened in Indiranagar, Bengaluru. You can shop online on Amazon or reach out via Instagram and WhatsApp.

 

Contact:

WhatsApp: +91 9035834819

Email: diyasdecorative@gmail.com

Instagram: @diyas_decoratives

 

PEARLY TABLEWARE AND DECOR 

Maity Handicrafts, founded by Joygopal Maity from Midnapore, specializes in a range of utility  products made with mother of pearl. Maity learnt this craft from his uncle and spent eight years working alongside him before branching out on his own. His goal was to preserve this traditional craft as well as earn a livelihood from it. Today Maity employs 20 people, five of whom are women. 

Using mother of pearl and hardwood, the group crafts tableware, jewellery, stationery, kitchenware and decor. Their popular products are tissue boxes, coaster sets, and salt and pepper sets. 

A set of six coasters is priced at Rs 980 while stylish tissue box holders are for `Rs 840. Elegant pearl trays are also on offer for Rs 1,390. The coaster and tray combination is a popular option for gifting. Maity Handicrafts often participates in Dastkar bazaars across the country. They are also available on the phone for more details.

Nacre or mother of pearl, is a hard, silvery layer found in the shells of some mussels and oysters. This material is resilient and iridescent. Sea shells have always played a significant role in the rich heritage of Bengal crafts, particularly in the southern districts of West Bengal. Artisans skilfully slice these shimmering shells using simple hand tools to create a variety of items, including bangles, bracelets, and decorative pieces. 

 

Contact:

Phone: +91 8710083286

Email: dashanddicrafts@gmail.com