C. V. Raju
C. V. Raju | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chintalapati Venkatapathi Raju 14 May 1963 Jonnavalsa inVizianagaram district,Andhra Pradesh |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Citizenship | India |
| Occupation | Artisan |
| Known for | Etikoppaka toys |
| Awards | National Grassroots Innovation Award fromNational Innovation Foundation – India |
| Honours | Padma Shri |
C. V. Rajuis an Indian toy maker and innovator fromEtikoppakainVizianagaram districtofAndhra Pradesh,India.He is known for reviving the traditional art of making Etikoppaka toys, which has ageographical indication[1]tag. He also made many vegetable-based dyes for Etikoppaka toys, and also developed new tools, techniques and methods to extend the shelf life of these dyes.[2]
In 2003 Raju received 2nd Biennial National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Award fromNational Innovation Foundation – India.He has also won the Centenary Award, theSeal of Excellence for HandicraftsfromUNESCOand Lifetime Achievement Award fromIndian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.In 2023, he was awarded thePadma Shriby the Government of India.
Biography
[edit]Chintalapati Venkatapathi Raju was born on 14 May 1963 in Jonnavalsa village inVizianagaram districtofAndhra Pradesh,India.[3]He did his secondary education inVisakhapatnamandVizianagaram,and completed his SSC in 1979.[3]He then graduated with a degree in agriculture.[4]
Career
[edit]Raju is a maker of Etikoppaka toys, which has ageographical indication.When the popularity of these toys began to wane, in 1988, Raju decided to revive the 500-year-old craft.[5]He sells these toys to many noted galleries in India.[6]Since 1992, he has been exporting these toys to many foreign countries including European countries.[5]
He strengthened the local tradition of making vegetable-based dyes for Etikoppaka toys, making them safe for children and worked to develop new tools, techniques and methods to extend the shelf life of these dyes.[7]Attending workshops and training courses on making natural dyes for textiles, Raju explored dyes in plant roots, bark, stems, leaves, fruits and seeds.[8][9]The Crafts Council of India helped Raju to test the toxicity of these dyes.[8]His experiments led to the production of more than 12 natural dyes, including royal red and indigo.[2]
Raju started Padmavati Associates, a co-operative society of artisans to increase the income of the artisans and ensure natural dyes reach the right market.[7]Today, 160 artisans from the village are engaged in making the toy, and they produce around 30,000- 33,000 toys per month.[5]
In 2017, Raju participated in the 4th Innovation Scholar-In-Residence programme atRashtrapati Bhavan,Delhi.[10]He has also participated in the annual Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (FINE), organized byNational Innovation FoundationandDepartment of Science and Technologyunder the aegis of Rashtrapati Bhawan.[11]
Awards and honors
[edit]In 2003 he received 2nd Biennial National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Award fromNational Innovation Foundation – India,an autonomous body of theDepartment of Science and Technology,Government of India.[12]He has also won the Centenary Award, theSeal of Excellence for HandicraftsfromUNESCOand Lifetime Achievement Award fromIndian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.[13]Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Raju's efforts in promoting the traditional toy industry in his 68thMann Ki Baatradio program.[11]In 2023, he was awarded thePadma Shriby the Government of India.[4]
Controversies
[edit]Raju faced objections from other toy makers after he told an NRI who bought toys from him that some artisans today use artificial colors containing lead, cadmium and barium in Etikoppaka toys.[14]They said that his remarks would have a negative impact on the Etikoppaka toy market itself.[14]Responding to the topic, Raju said that he is only concerned about the quality of the toy and if anyone wants to learn how to make natural dyes for toys, he will teach them.[14]
References
[edit]- ^World Intellectual Property Organization(2023)."Crafting a Better Future for Women with Etikoppaka Wooden Toys".www.wipo.int.Retrieved2024-05-28.
- ^abGanguly, Nivedita (2020-09-01)."Etikoppaka toys of Andhra Pradesh in the spotlight".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved2024-07-05.
- ^ab"Press Information Bureau".
- ^abReddem, Appaji (26 January 2023)."Padma award is an honour for the Etikoppaka toy craft, says C.V. Raju".The Hindu.
- ^abcPeri, Usha (29 January 2023)."Vizag man resurrects age-old Etikoppaka toy craft heritage".The New Indian Express.
- ^Bhatt, Meenakshi (28 February 2022)."AP's Toy Story".VIS.
- ^ab"Rising India Summit | CV Raju, who revived traditional kid-safe Etikoppaka toys - CNBC TV18".CNBCTV18.28 March 2023.
- ^abPareek, Shreya."A Forgotten Toy Story of Etikoppaka".
- ^"Revival of dye-ing skills - National Innovation Foundation-India".www.nif.org.in.
- ^"Grassroots Innovators conferred Padma Shri for S&T based innovative ways of reviving traditional art and music".
- ^ab"Grassroots innovator from Andhra Pradesh reviving dying art of making sustainable and children friendly wooden toys | Department Of Science & Technology".
- ^"Grassroots innovator from Andhra Pradesh reviving dying art of making sustainable and children friendly wooden toys".Retrieved1 November2021.
- ^"'Bring Etikoppaka on the tourism map'".The Times of India.2016-05-24.ISSN0971-8257.Retrieved2024-07-05.
- ^abcCorrespondent, D. C. (13 July 2023)."Padma Shri Winner Upsets Etikoppaka Toymakers".www.deccanchronicle.com.