Etikoppaka Wooden Toy Craft
Feb 3, 2023
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Context
Probable Question
About Etikoppaka Wooden Toy Craft
Geographical Identification (GI) Tag
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Today’s edition of our Current Affairs will comprise a discussion on Etikoppaka Wooden Toy Craft. Read further to upgrade your UPSC CSE knowledge and also understand the topic’s relevance to the UPSC syllabus.
For Prelims: History of India
Etikoppaka wooden toy craft, Geographical Identification (GI) tag, Padma Awards, History of Padma Awards, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri
For Mains: General Studies Paper I (Indian Culture - Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from Ancient to Modern times)
Context
The Union government choosing to confer Padma Shri Mr. C. V. Raju in the art category is an honour to the Etikoppaka wooden toy craft, and it will go a long way in promoting the art.
Probable Question
In the backdrop of the ill-effects of the computer and mobile games, Etikoppaka toys are most relevant for the ₹7 lakh-crore worth toy industry across the world. Explain. (150 words, 10 marks).
About Etikoppaka Wooden Toy Craft
- Etikoppaka is a small village located on the banks of the Varaha River, located at a distance of 4 km from Narasipatnam,in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.
- Etikoppaka translates to “a group of houses along the river’s edge.”
- Etikoppaka is famous for its 400-year old tradition of wooden carvings and artefacts, particularly toys, mythological figures, and Mohenjo Daro and Harappa shapes.
- Etikoppaka’s toy-making legacy is thought to have been inherited in the early 1800s from Nakkapalli, a village 25 kms away from Etikoppaka. The artisans from this region migrated to Etikoppaka in the early twentieth century because of the abundance of suitable wood-producing trees.
- The toys are made of wood from trees locally known as ‘ankudu’ (Wrightia Tinctoria) and coloured with natural dyes derived from seeds, lacquer, bark roots, and leaves after they have been shaped to the desired shape. These toys are made of a much softer wood, and the process is known as turned wood lacquer craft.
- Lac, a colourless resinous secretion of a variety of insects, is used by the artists. During the oxidation of the toys, lac is combined with dyes. Toys are decorated with lac dye.
- Etikoppaka toys are known for their softness, rounded contours, polished colours and the overall craftsmanship.
- These toys have no sharp edges and are rounded on all sides, which makes them children-friendly.
- Etikoppaka Toys has been awarded the GI tag in the category of Handicrafts in the year 2017.
Also Read:
Constitution Day of India : Facts, History And Significance For UPSC Exam
Geographical Identification (GI) Tag
- A Geographical Indication tag is given to products that have come from a specific geographical place and are known because of that region.
- The tag is given for 10 years, after which it can be renewed.
- A GI tagged product comes with an assurance of that unique quality, which made it popular in the first place.
- These products are not only unique, but also hold immense cultural importance.
- In 2004, the Darjeeling tea was awarded the first GI tag in India.
- Banaras Zardozi from Uttar pradesh, Tamenglong Orange from Manipur, Manjusha Art from Bihar, Tirupati Laddu from Andhra Pradesh, are just a few products protected under the GI tag.
- Nodal Ministry for GI tag in India: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Also read:
Important Topics of World History UPSC Mains
An Empire Across Three Continents : World History NCERT Notes For UPSC
| About Padma Awards The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honors of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day (except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1978 and 1979 and 1993 to 1997). The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan- for exceptional and distinguished service. Padma Bhushan- for distinguished service of higher order. Padma Shri- for distinguished service. The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved. All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. However, Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards. The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made. The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously. The recipients are also given a small replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any ceremonial/State functions etc., if the awardees so desire. The names of the awardees are published in the Gazette of India on the day of the presentation ceremony. The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120. The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name. Who decides the awards to be given? The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary, Secretary to the President and four to six eminent persons as members. The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval. History of the awards: The Government of India instituted two civilian awards-Bharat Ratna & Padma Vibhushan in 1954. The latter had three classes namely Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra Varg. These were subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri vide Presidential Notification issued on January 8, 1955. |
News Source: The Hindu
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which state belongs to Etikoppaka toys?
Etikoppaka is located at a distance of 4 km from Narasipatnam,in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. It is a small village located on the banks of the Varaha River. Etikoppaka is famous for its 400-year old tradition of wooden carvings and artefacts, particularly toys, mythological figures, and Mohenjo Daro and Harappa shapes.
What is the history of Etikoppaka toys?
Etikoppaka’s toy-making legacy is thought to have been inherited in the early 1800s from Nakkapalli, a village 25 kms away from Etikoppaka (originally known as laccapalli). The artisans from this region migrated to Etikoppaka in the early twentieth century because of the abundance of suitable wood-producing trees.
Which wood is used for Etikoppaka toys?
The Etikoppaka toys are made of wood from trees locally known as ‘ankudu’ (Wrightia Tinctoria) and coloured with natural dyes derived from seeds, lacquer, bark roots, and leaves after they have been shaped to the desired shape.
How many Padma Awards can be given in a year?
The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.
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