Rediscovering Play: The Power of Bhartiya Games and Wooden Toys in a Modern World

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, traditional play often takes a backseat. However,  true growth happens through Kreeda (play) and Keednak (toys). 

• Play or Kreeda has been very important in the Bhartiya or Indian way of life, and has been an integrated part of our childhood, and has fostered our development by inculcating some important core values in us.

The Importance of Play or Kreeda in Bhartiya Culture

Nowadays, sports are taken as a way to keep oneself busy or to pass time. Sports also has the potential to be a means of livelihood for a player. However, according to the Indian knowledge system, sports & games are neither meant to keep one busy nor is it a business. It is way above all this. Sports are directly related to our body - most importantly to pranamaya kosha.

Children's games should exercise their bodies, relieve stress from their minds and remove their vices as well as teach them to accept others, which is also known as sportsmanship. Traditionally, Bhartiya toys and games have been created keeping all these things in mind.

Indians generally do not play games alone. This is because the purpose of the game will be fulfilled only with the feeling of accepting someone other than yourself, being in harmony with them and developing the habit of making some compromises to find a middle ground in case of difference of opinion. The foundation of inculcating these qualities lies in playing games and the sharing of toys. Thus, through games, children learn to live in a group, accept others, as well as how to behave with others.

Interestingly, games also enable teachers to know more about the child. It serves as a means of knowing who the child truly is,because when a child plays, he will look and behave as he is. When a child studies, he acts with a certain discipline and sense of control, but by watching him playing a game, the teacher will be able to know his basic virtues and vices.

India - The Birthplace of Toys

Although India currently has a very large market for foreign toys, it is fascinating to know that India is actually the birthplace of toys! India started creating toys around 3,000 years ago, long before the civilizations of many other regions were established.

The Need for Toys

Toys are essential for children as they are developing focus and need something to engage with. The best object for engagement is a toy, as it does not demand a response.

During a certain age, when a child seeks frequent responses, it needs living human beings who can respond. However, the child has phases of self-absorption when it is not looking for a response and finds satisfaction in self-play. This is when toys keep a child engaged in spite of not eliciting a direct response from the child. 

The more a child plays with toys, the more focused and engrossed they become. Unintentionally, the child's concentration increases. Therefore, Indian scholars have described toys for childhood.

The Charak Samhita talks extensively about toys: 

Kreedanakani yathaa-shastram dadyaat

This means, choose toys for children keeping in mind the rules of shastras.

The Charak Samhita has also provided many other guidelines, like:

Kreedanakani khalu ateekshnaani syuhu 

This means toys should not be sharp.

What toys should not be:

• Toys should be soft, and there should be no possibility of getting injured while playing with them. It is essential that toys do not cause any harm in any way.

• Toys should not be small enough for a child to put them in their mouth.

• They should not produce loud sounds, meaning they should not have very high or noisy voices. Nowadays, many toys come with high-pitched sounds, and because the child is attracted to loud sounds, parents bring them for children. These toys include automatic guns, self-propelled cars, robots, etc. These are best avoided as they have harmful effects on the child's senses and mind.

• Toys that frighten the child, such as a ghost or a demon face or mask, should be completely avoided.

  
  

What toys should be:

• Toys should produce sweet and melodious sounds.

• Animal-shaped toys should be like cows, buffaloes, dogs - small toys that can be given to children to play with.

• Toys should be pistmayani. Children's toys should be made of lac (shellac). Lac is a type of resin that solidifies into a wax-like substance when cooled. Lac toys melt when exposed to fire.

• Toys can be made of flour dough. In modern times, toys can also be made of wood.

• Give your children toys made of wood, colored with organic and natural colors.

The Collaboration: Brahm Varchas x Truly Tribal

In our ongoing mission to bring the timeless Bhartiya tradition of Kreeda and Kreedanaks into every home, Truly Tribal is proud to announce a special collaboration with Brahm Varchas, launched today on April 14, 2025.

Together, we are unveiling a thoughtfully curated collection of authentic Channapatna wooden toys and handcrafted Indian games that celebrate our rich cultural heritage. These toys are not just for play — they are functional art forms designed to foster a deep connection with Indian traditions while promoting mindful and meaningful development in children.

Rooted in centuries of traditional wisdom, Channapatna toys are handcrafted using child-safe materials and non-toxic colors, free of sharp edges and compliant with all safety standards. There is inherent science, psychology, and craft excellence beautifully woven into every piece made by the skilled artisans of Channapatna.

By collaborating with Brahm Varchas, Truly Tribal aims to preserve and promote this iconic craft — ensuring that every toy purchased not only supports a child’s cognitive and emotional growth but also provides a sustainable livelihood for Channapatna artisans and their families.

In addition to toys, we are also proud to offer a unique collection of Indian traditional games for the entire family — including Pachchissi (the royal cloth board game), Moksha Pattam (the vices & virtues game), Pallankuzhi (a southern strategy game), and many more.

At Truly Tribal, our commitment goes beyond commerce. We are building a platform for traditional Indian toy makers and artisans — helping them secure dignified livelihoods, encouraging future generations to carry forward their ancestral art, and keeping the Bhartiya Kreeda parampara alive and thriving.

With the knowledge-based vision of Brahm Varchas, this collaboration brings together the best of age-old psychology, skill-building, and Sanskar-oriented growth through toys and games that are as meaningful as they are joyful.

The Legacy of Toys or Kreedanak: Channapatna Toys

At the heart of this movement is Channapatna, a small town in Karnataka, often referred to as the “Toy Town of India.”

With roots tracing back to 1700’s, Channapatna toys are handcrafted using soft, sustainable woods like Aale Mara (Ivory Wood), and are colored with natural dyes, thus making them safe, eco-friendly, and toxin-free.

Each piece is skillfully turned on a lathe, polished with lac (a natural resin), and shaped with love and precision. Their smooth finishes, vibrant natural colors, and rounded, child-safe designs are a testament to Indian craftsmanship.

Why Parents Should Make the Shift

With their soft textures, pleasant wooden sounds, and organic finishes, these toys and games are a refreshing alternative to plastic clutter. They nurture imagination and mindfulness, while keeping your child connected to cultural roots and eco-conscious living.

What’s more, they do not pollute the environment! They are available in a wide range of attractive colours, shapes, sizes and are suitable for age groups ranging from infants to teens and beyond.

Games are a great way to keep the entire family engaged and foster bonding to create timeless memories! We have games for adults too, which include Pachchissi (Royal cloth board game), Moksha Pattam (vices & virtues game), Pallankuzhi (Southern strategy game) and more in collaboration with Brahm Varchas.

To check out the full range of games, visit: https://brahmvarchas.org/indian-sports/

To check out the full range of Channapatna toys in collaboration with Brahm Varchas, visit:: https://brahmvarchas.org/handicraft/

Join in!

This is not just about toys. It’s about preserving a tradition, empowering artisans, and redefining childhood. Let’s bring back play that’s pure, purposeful, and proudly Indian.