Comic Book Design
Kondapalli Toys are toys made of wood in Kondapalli of Krishna district, near Vijayawada in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The book is targeted at people interested in handicrafts and school children. The book throws light on the various processes used in the making of these toys as well as the history and mythological facts related to them. The book is available as an ebook on Amazon.
Communities
The artisans who make the toys are referred as Aryakhastriyas (also known as Nakarshalu), who have their mention in the Brahmanda Purana. Brahmanda Puran is a Sanskrit text and one of the eighteen major Puranas, a genre of Hindu texts. It is listed as the eighteenth Maha-Purana in almost all the anthologies. This community migrated from Rajasthan in the 16th century to Kondappali. Their origin can be traced to Muktharishi, a sage endowed with skills in arts and crafts by Lord Shiva. King Sri Krishna Devaraya gave boost to this craft and encouraged more number of people to take up this occupation.
