As Ahmedabad, India’s first UNESCO WOrld Heritage City, turns 615 on February 26 … we bring you a slice of the city’s unique Toy Museum
Entering Raheel Patel’s heritage home in Dhobi-ni-Pol in Ahmedabad is like stepping into another world of beauty, aesthetics and sheer joy. As you walk into the house with its wooden arches and open courtyards where sunlight filters gently through, a delightful toy universe unfolds on the left — clay, textile, wooden and beadwork toys, among many others. On the first floor of the haveli, traditional brass objects of daily use sit alongside more toys, opening up a world of fun, heritage and learning. A walk through the Vaarso Toy Museum reveals Patel’s deep passion and fascination for traditional toys.
Ask him what inspired him to build the museum, and Raheel takes a nostalgic pause. “Right from childhood, I was very curious about traditional toys and games. I played with them, but I also liked to nurture and collect them. My late grandfather, Chandrakantbhai, was an artist and had a beautiful collection of traditional temple toys. He would buy me folk toys too. I drew my early love and inspiration from him.
“”My childhood was steeped in our rich culture and heritage, and it left a deep impression on me. I was always interested in preserving and understanding these toys. Later, I pursued a degree in Fine Arts from M.S. University, Vadodara, and studied Culture and Heritage Management at Centennial College in Toronto, which helped me shape this museum.”
Growing up, Patel constantly negotiated two contrasting worlds that shaped his observations and experiences. “I studied at GLS, which was on the other side of the Sabarmati river. Every day, I crossed Ellisbridge to go to school. My growing-up years were about finding my way between these two very different worlds. The bridge became the connecting link between diverse experiences.”
As Ahmedabad undergoes rapid transformation, life in the pols of the Walled City is also changing. “The older generation is gone. Many young people have left the pols. There is a visible decline in community life. It makes even more sense to me now to bring a slice of this unique living heritage to children and parents through the exciting world of toys,” he says.
The museum houses temple toys in silver, wooden toys from Mahuva, terracotta toys, thelan gadi, traditional folk toys, mystery toys like jadui aaino, textile dolls, traditional ceramic mazes from India, Gujarati beadwork rattles and much more.
India has a rich heritage of traditional toys and games. Many spiral board games produced during the 18th and 19th centuries were designed to teach children history, geography, botany and other subjects. Primitive games exist across cultures, but their variations reflect the nature and worldview of each region. The earliest precursor of modern chess, chaturanga, flourished in India by the 6th century and introduced features found in later chess variations. The museum celebrates this layered history and cultural wisdom.
Speaking about collecting the toys, Patel says, “It began in childhood when I inherited a wonderful collection of temple toys from my grandfather, along with some folk toys. Collecting traditional Indian toys is challenging because many antique dealers prefer foreign tin toys.
“Through word of mouth, I have sourced several pieces. Since many items in the museum are folk toys, I visit melas and meet craftspeople who make them. Over time, I’ve seen that many artisans have stopped producing traditional toys. Some are ageing, and the younger generation is often not interested in continuing the craft.”
In a world dominated by technology and gadgets, these toys hold even greater meaning today. They activate the senses and help break boundaries. Toys nurture imagination, creativity, dexterity, movement and even scientific thinking.
As part of the museum’s outreach, Patel conducts workshops for children. “Children today are absorbed in gadgets. I want to awaken their senses and help them experience life through touch, feel and movement. My workshops are grounded in reality — they are not just about fun, but about engagement and awareness. One of my most fulfilling experiences was conducting a workshop for visually challenged students in Canada. And here in Ahmedabad, I truly enjoy interacting with children.”
He adds with a laugh, “Children love being in this space. There is so much to discover and explore. They are happiest wandering through the nooks and corners of this house.”
Deepika Sahu has been a journalist for 29 years and she has worked with some of India’s leading media houses. Right now, she is independently engaged in content creation and curation. Twitter: @menondeepika | Instagram@moodydeepika | Facebook: Deepika Sahu
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