Traditional toymaking lives on in southern India

In this toy workshop in the Indian city of Channapatna, the whirring of machinery fills the air. The smell of freshly carved wood is a reminder of a centuries-old tradition that lives on despite cheaper plastic alternatives.

Channapatna, in the southern state of Karnataka, is famous for its wooden and lacquer toys. They're carved from the wood of a local deciduous tree and dipped in bright colors made from natural ingredients such as turmeric and indigo.

Toymaking in Channapatna dates back to the 1700s, when Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the kingdom of Mysore, asked artists from Persia to train locals in the art.

Rocking horses, baby walkers and dancing dolls carved from wood are a common sight in the workshops, which employ around 2,500 craftspeople. However, competition from cheap mass-produced goods, especially from China, is threatening the industry.

Toys were once all hand-carved, but the use of electric lathes and other machinery has helped keep the industry competitive. "In the old days, every work demanded artisans," B. Venkatesh, who runs two small workshops in the town, told the AFP news agency. "But now, with a few at hand, machines can help with different tasks."

Artisan Kouser Pasha presents a handmade toy locomotive. Business isn't bad; in the peak months, the factory receives orders for thousands of toys from all over the country. Many customers appreciate the long-lasting quality.

"When we dry the ivory wood properly, and apply lacquer and vegetable dyes, the toys will remain the same for hundreds of years," said Venkatesh. The town's products experienced a boom in 2010 when former US first lady Michelle Obama bought some in the capital New Delhi during an official visit to India.