Bengaluru, Jan 19 (IANS) US President Barrack Obama will receive Karnataka's famous Channapatna toys as a special gift from the state government on the Republic Day in New Delhi, a senior official said Monday.
"The state government is gifting Obama a few Channapatna toys through the external affairs ministry on the Republic Day as a token of our affection to him and his family," state information department director N.R. Vishukumar told IANS here.
Obama, who is visiting India for the second time from Jan 24, will be the chief guest at the national parade Jan 26.
Crafted by skilled men and women artisans of Channapatna town in Ramanagara district, about 60 km from here, the traditional toys and dolls made of special wood in colours are protected as a geographical indication (GI) under the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Though the state government wants to present the toys to Obama directly through its representative, in view of the tight security and for protocol reasons, they will be given to him through the external affairs ministry after the Republic Day parade.
"We are also gifting Obama an official calendar depicting the art of making these toys by Channapatna artisans. He will get to see some of the popular toys and dolls displayed on our state tableau participating in the Republic Day Parade," Vishukumar said.
The artisans use ivory wood of a special tree grown in the old Mysore region of the state for making the toys and dolls, which are also exported worldwide.
"Our tableau, with the Channapatna toys as its theme, will have 30 giant-sized toys, including an abacus, a girl astride a horse, swan and an engine that were made by the local artisans in the toy town," Vishukumar added.
The origins of Channapatna toys dates back to the reign of Tipu Sultan in the 18th century when he invited artisans from Persia to train the locals in making toys using ivory wood, rose wood and sandal wood.
During Obama's first visit to India in November 2010, his wife, US First Lady Michelle bought a few Channapatna's colourful toys worth Rs.2,000 ($25 then) at the National Handicrafts and Handloom Museum in New Delhi.
Prime Minister to Address 4-5 Rallies in Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address four or five rallies in Delh
Over the past week, at least four senior officials in the Joe Biden administration have warned In
Corona Diet: Best diet plan for fast recovery in Corona, will remove weakness
People are making many changes in their lives to avoid the outbreak of the Coronavirus. People ha
The sentence of the separatist leader Yasin Malik, who was convicted in the NIA court in the Terr
Former CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant has described the development of the private sector in the
How Corona kills: Understanding the spread of coronavirus in human body
कोरोनावायरस पहले चीन में पिछले साल दà
Modi offers prayers at Golden Temple
Amritsar, March 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday offered prayers at the holiest
Shamshera Poster: Ranbir Kapoor's look in the film 'Shamshera' is quite creepy! did you see
Ranbir Kapoor, Vaani Kapoor, and Sanjay Dutt starrer 'Shamshera' is one of the much-awaited films
Amid the growing rift within the Nepal Communist Party, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yankee me
These days, BR Chopra's Mahabharata is being shown again on TV. Jinta Bada this serial is equally
