Assam-based Kirat Brahma left his decade-long profession as an animation designer and returned dwelling to symbolize his neighborhood by means of Zankla Studio. It makes eco-friendly smooth toys that inform tales deeply rooted within the native tradition and traditions of the Bodo neighborhood.
Rising up in a small village positioned between the border of India and Bhutan in Assam’s Baksa District, Kirat Brahma’s childhood was stuffed with folklore and tribal tales.
“These tales have been part of my childhood and lots of others in my neighborhood. Nonetheless, the present era is lacking out on them as they devour a lot content material on-line and on tv,” Kirat tells The Higher India.
After finishing his commencement from the Nationwide Institute of Design (NID), Kirat began to work as an animation designer. “I labored within the trade for greater than a decade for purchasers everywhere in the nation. I beloved experimenting with design and numerous points of animation, however deep down, I at all times longed for dwelling,” says the 32-year-old.
As Kirat lived in numerous components of the nation, he turned extra conscious of the discrimination and lack of knowledge regarding folks from the Northeastern states. By 2020, when the pandemic hit, Kirat had made up his thoughts to return dwelling and begin on the lookout for concepts.
“I wished to create a product that highlights our tradition to the upcoming generations. I additionally wished to open a complete new world for folks not conscious of the Bodo tradition. What might be a greater approach of introducing youngsters and folks to my tradition than with smooth toys?” he says.
So he began Zankla Studio in 2021 with the intention of showcasing the wealthy tradition of the Bodo Tribe. The studio creates handmade plastic-free smooth toys that narrate tales deeply linked to the native tradition and traditions of the Bodo neighborhood.
“Once I was rising up, I didn’t have toys that represented folks like me and others from my neighborhood. The markets are flooded with Spiderman, Mickey Mouse and Barbie dolls. So I wished to create one thing to unfold consciousness amongst folks in regards to the existence of Northeastern communities,” he notes.
Every toy created at Zankla Studio carries a story native to the tribe or is a illustration of a outstanding particular person from the tribe, reminiscent of Ada Lowdoom — a Bodo traveller, Bodo Jwhwlao — a conventional Bodo fighter, Gowdang Rani — a Bodo princess.
It comes with a pamphlet containing the story or story of the fictional or actual character that the toy relies on, explains Kirat. “The only goal of those toys is to generate dialog amongst folks in regards to the neighborhood. Numerous analysis and thought is put into creating every toy. We now have so many misplaced tales and characters from folklore. We create our toys primarily based on them,” he says.
“As an illustration, now we have Gowdang Rani — the total moon queen who holds numerous significance for the folks of the Bodo neighborhood. At any time when there’s a struggle or some unhappy event, she is believed to go to her folks to inspire them. Then there may be Gambari Sikla, who made historic contributions, reminiscent of combating towards each the Bhutanese and British,” he provides.
“The toys appear to be us and are wearing conventional garments, just like the genuine Assamese saree, together with conventional equipment, swords and so on. The apparel may be modified. All of the toys are handmade and plastic free. We additionally make smooth toys of animals reminiscent of wild buffalo and fish, as they’ve an ideal significance to the folks of the neighborhood,” he shares.
Handmade, plastic-free toys that inform tales
Kirat says that each one the supplies used to create these toys are sourced from native markets.
“The native economic system wants a great increase; my neighborhood’s youth don’t have many alternatives. They both go away the village and transfer to cities or be part of the Military. I attempt to make use of as many artisans from the neighborhood itself to offer them with a piece alternative,” he says.
He says they’ve offered round 100 toys thus far. Every toy is normally priced anyplace between Rs 800 to Rs 3,000 relying on the work concerned. They’re additionally engaged on including extra classes. “The folks obtain our toys with numerous love,” he remarks.
He additional shares that the actual take a look at of the toys got here when he obtained an order from a 90-year-old lady from Mumbai. “It was her ninetieth birthday and he or she wished to reward one thing to her associates. She had examine me and was curious to see the merchandise. I used to be delighted as a girl sitting in another a part of the nation was displaying curiosity in my product,” he says.
“I’ve been to the world and knew a bit in regards to the girls, the attires, and their tradition. Whereas I used to be on the lookout for some concepts for the presents I discovered Zankla Studio and was very impressed. I ordered 50 small birds for my visitors and a pair of dolls for my niece’s daughter. The standard of the merchandise is nice, however what makes them particular is the message behind them. The dolls had been sporting sarees and their conventional gamochas (conventional Assamese clothes) which made them an ideal hit,” says Neela D’Souza.
Speaking in regards to the toys, Vibha Kamat, Neela’s daughter-in-law says, “The toys actually open up a complete new world for the youngsters. My mother-in-law’s niece’s daughter had numerous questions on why the doll was dressed a sure approach, or the place she is from. This launched her to a complete new tribe and neighborhood that resides on the opposite aspect of the nation.”
As for future plans, Kirat says, “I want to rent extra artisans, therefore present extra employment alternatives to the folks of my tribe. To me, that is greater than only a enterprise; it’s my probability so as to add worth to my neighborhood and showcase it to the world.”
Kirat’s toys can be found for buy on his web site and his official Instagram deal with @zankla_studio.
Edited by Pranita Bhat
