Andhra Pradesh features eco-friendly wooden toys at Republic Day Parade

The Republic Day Parade 2025 featured tableau from 16 States across India, where each state highlighted their unique cultural heritage, identity, and history.

Andhra Pradesh’s tableau theme was ‘Etikoppaka Bommalu,’ featuring eco-friendly wooden toys, famous for their vibrant colours and intricate designs.

Etikoppaka Bommalu is a 400-year-old craft of making traditional wooden toys using a unique technique called laku (or lacquerware) in the village of Etikoppaka, located in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. 

The front part of the Etikoppaka Bommalu tableau featured a huge replica of a Ganesha, while the rear showed a replica of Balaji, along with other smaller replicas. 

The process of making Etikoppaka Bommalu involves turning the wood on a lathe, and then applying natural dyes made from seeds, roots, and other organic materials. The craftsmen use a special technique to smooth and polish the toys, giving them a smooth, glossy finish.

The colours and designs are usually inspired by nature, with motifs like flowers, animals, and geometric patterns.

Eco-friendly toys are becoming increasingly important, especially in today’s world, where sustainability is urgently needed. Toys made from plastic are non-biodegradable and take hundreds of years to decompose, resulting in massive amounts of plastic waste, contributing to environmental pollution and harming wildlife.

Etikoppaka toys have been made for centuries and are recognized for their eco-friendliness, as they are crafted from natural materials, including the wood of the Nerium tree. They are also known for their durability and non-toxic quality, making them safe for children.

These toys are more than just a craft; they hold cultural significance and are often passed down through generations of artisans. In recent years, eco-friendly toys from Indian startups have gained attention for their craftsmanship and sustainability.

By promoting eco-friendly Etikoppaka Bommalu through a Republic Day tableau, Andhra Pradesh can create awareness among domestic and international consumers about its craft and the local industry.

Through these toys, consumers can also help sustain small businesses in local communities, as opposed to contributing to mass-production industries that prioritize profit over the well-being of workers and the environment.