“I am the 5th generation handicraft artisan from Nirmal town. We are known for handmade toys and paintings which are quite popular across the country. We make the toys out of forest wood.

The speciality of our Nirmal toys lies in nature driven designs. We craft our toys based on the flora and fauna of the state. We use poniki chekka (white sander wood). These toys will never spoil.

My journey in the handicrafts sector began at an early age. I have learnt the nuances of the craft by watching my grandfather and father craft the toys. It’s inherent. But you should know, getting a hang of it for a newcomer will be difficult. Say, you want to practice it now, it’s difficult. You have to live with this art right from birth.

We were badly impacted ever since the Covid pandemic struck the country last year. We are unable to source the material anymore and our sales have dropped due to the impact of the two lockdowns.

I wished my children could continue this craft as this is an ancestral property for us, but considering the current state of affairs, I don’t think they will continue this art form. As long as we get the wood, we will continue. Once the supply stops, we should stop and do something else for living.”