Jharoka puzzle by Maniams Design Studio | Photo credit: special arrangement
In a world increasingly dominated by screens, the importance of tactile and creative play for children’s development cannot be underestimated. An article published in 2024 Marginal, One“Educational toys provide a hands-on play experience, allowing children to physically use and interact with learning materials. This direct interaction may lead to deeper understanding and better memory retention,” the open-access scientific journal states. Children who engage in hands-on play with open-ended toys are believed to display more critical cognitive skills, better problem-solving abilities, and more creativity, compared to children who primarily consume content from digital devices. This is where Coimbatore-based Maniams Design Studio steps in, offering a refreshing alternative with its thoughtfully designed and handcrafted toys.
Led by architect and toy designer Kanak Ananth, Maniams Design Studio takes a unique approach to creating toys. A graduate from the National Institute of Design’s first toy design program, Kanak has over 15 years of experience. The company creates toys inspired by Indian elements, with a focus on education and inclusivity. Their team of designers create toys suitable for children of all abilities. Sustainability is a core value, with Maniams collaborating with artisans across India to create handmade toys using high-quality, eco-friendly materials such as locally produced bamboo baskets and containers.
School children using puzzles from Maniams Design Studio | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Maniams has launched two new games in its collection: Kona and Jharoka. Inspired by the concept of “kona” or “corner”, Kona is a 3D puzzle designed to enhance children’s visual-spatial reasoning skills. Kanaka explains, “Kona is inspired by 3D triangles but with a twist. Unlike most puzzles that remain flat, we have designed this one to create a three-dimensional effect upon completion. It’s all about giving a new dimension to playtime.”
It’s more than just fun. Kanaka says recognising and distinguishing between mirror images is important for subjects such as math, science, engineering and architecture. He believes Kona will help children improve their spatial reasoning, which is essential for academic and physical activities and is beneficial for artistic and design-related fields.
Meanwhile, Jharoka is inspired by traditional Indian architecture balconies and windows and is a shape-sorter puzzle for kids. The vibrant puzzle features colours and patterns from Indian textile motifs like bandhani and ikat. As Kanaka explains, “Jharoka teaches kids about primary, secondary and tertiary colours as well as polygons, reinforcing their understanding of fundamental concepts through matching and sorting activities.”
Both Kona and Jharoka designs reflect Maniams’ commitment to cultural heritage. Using these traditional motifs introduces young children to Indian art and design in a playful way.
“Every toy we design has a story behind it,” says Kanak.
Kona Puzzle | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
One of her best-selling books, Storytelling Puzzles, draws inspiration from ancient Indian rock art. “Our ancestors would paint stories of hunting and everyday life on cave walls,” she says. “Interestingly, those symbols have evolved into the icons used in messaging apps today – a whole language without words!” Storytelling Puzzles captures this essence with pieces that can be arranged into endless narratives. She adds, “It’s amazing to see how kids (even adults) use it creatively, even incorporating it into their daily lives.” She shares examples of kids using puzzles to depict family scenes or create jewelry.
This focus on storytelling extends far beyond a toy. For example, their Karagattam stacking toy is inspired by the traditional dance form of Tamil Nadu, in which performers balance pots on their heads. “We studied everyday objects like crayons that children hold and used those shapes as inspiration for the stacking pieces,” says Ananth, “The goal is to stack them the same way you would carry pots on your head, with a ring at the top for stability.” In this way, Maniams turns everyday objects into playful tools that connect children to Indian culture. “Each toy becomes a little part of Indian culture, passed on through play.”
