The Kondapalli toys are made in Kondapalli of Krishna district, a nearby village of Vijayawada in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. These toys were one of the varieties of toys assembled in most parts of South India during the festivals of Sankranti and Navratri, referred to as Kolu, Gombe Habba, Bommai Kolu, or Bommala Koluvu. The art of crafting is a 400-year-old tradition. The artisans who make the toys are referred to as Aryakhastriyas (also known as Nakarshalu), who have their mention in the Brahmanda Purana.
The Kondapalli toys are made from soft wood known as Tella Poniki, found nearby Kondapalli Hills. Each part is carved out separately. Then makku- a paste of tamarind seed powder & sawdust is used to combine pieces, add details and finish the toys. The later step involves coloring with oil, watercolors, vegetable dyes, and enamel paints based on the toys' type. The artisans mainly work on producing figures of mythology, animals, birds, bullock carts, rural life, etc., and the most notable one is Dasavataram, dancing dolls, etc.
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