VISAKHAPATNAM: Padma Shri award winning Etikoppaka toymaker C.V Raju has upset fellow toymakers following an interview he gave to an NRI who bought toys from him.
Raju, an agriculturist-turned-craftsman, has been promoting toy craft and usage of natural dyes for past few decades.
In the interview, the Padma Shri award winner had said: “Some artisans in Etikoppaka are nowadays using artificial colours containing lead and cadmium. Additionally, many products are being painted with enamel colours containing Barium.”
These and other statements got broadcast over social media, wherein Raju warned that colours used on wooden toys sold in Etikoppaka shops can be dangerous if ingested, especially by young children.
Following this, the artisan community in Etikoppaka is very unhappy with the Padma Shri award winner. They think such a post will adversely affect the Etikoppaka toy industry.
One craftsman says nearly 400 families in Etikoppaka depend on toy making. They make ₹63 lakh worth toys every month. The statement by Raju will, in particular, hurt exports of Etikoppaka toys.
A toy factory owner said: “We use natural dyes as well as artificial colours. Natural dye toys are a bit costly. If a customer can spend more money, s/he buys natural dye toys. Another customer may want to spend less money and would buy toys with artificial colours. Our toys are mostly decorative. Hence artificial colours on them do not matter. Only a small parentage of toys is made for children to play with. If someone wants to buy toys for children, she or he can spend a bit more money.”
Responding to the whole issue, Raju observed: “I haven’t said anything wrong about anybody. I am only worried about Etikoppaka toy quality. If someone in Etikoppaka or elsewhere wants to learn how to make natural dyes for toys, I am there to teach them.”
