Traditional wooden toys of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are undergoing a significant transformation as artisans and designers blend heritage craftsmanship with modern technology. Renowned toy clusters like Etikoppaka, Kondapalli, Nirmal, and Channapatna are at the forefront of this revival, producing toys that are educational, playful, and culturally rooted.

Speaking to Metro India, Dr. Rambabu Muppidi, Faculty at LGAD, FDDI Hyderabad, said, “Traditional toys from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh carry immense cultural and educational value. By combining digital tools with contemporary design, we are creating toys that encourage creativity, fine motor skills, and imaginative play while connecting children to their heritage.”

A standout example is the Etikoppaka Wooden Robo Toy, crafted from eco-friendly Ankudu wood (Wrightia tinctoria). This poseable toy combines movable joints with simple mechanical features and a robot-inspired design. While modern in appearance, the production process honors traditional methods: artisans select and season Ankudu wood, hand-turn and carve components, create movable joints with wooden pegs or elastic cords, sand and smooth the pieces, and finally finish them with natural dyes and eco-friendly lacquers. The result is a sustainable, child-friendly toy that bridges past and present.

FDDI’s project extends beyond Etikoppaka, documenting and modernizing wooden toy traditions across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, including Kondapalli, Nirmal, and Channapatna. “By linking tradition with technology, we empower artisans economically and ensure their knowledge remains relevant while appealing to modern audiences,” Dr. Muppidi added.

Traditional toys from the region share common materials, techniques, and cultural expressions, and reimagining them through CAD modeling and contemporary aesthetics introduces children to both heritage and innovation. Robo toys, for example, foster storytelling, spatial understanding, and creativity, providing educational value alongside play.

Dr. Muppidi emphasized, “Introducing children to meaningful, culturally inspired toys from an early age strengthens creativity and curiosity. Robotic-inspired wooden toys rooted in our traditional crafts can position Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as global leaders in this emerging toy sector.”

Muppidi envisions a collaborative platform where artisans can undergo focused training programs of 30–60 days, combining sketching, material exploration, connectivity, and technology integration. Such initiatives aim to modernize craft practices while preserving cultural integrity, creating a unified creative language where heritage, design thinking, and technology converge.

By transforming traditional wooden toys through innovation, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are redefining heritage for modern audiences—producing toys that are educational, sustainable, and playful while ensuring that generations of artisan knowledge continue to thrive.