Remember we all used to play with wooden toys in our childhood. Over a period of time, they disappeared and got replaced with fancy plastic toys. But retired bank official Gopal Khanna is still keeping this art alive by making wooden toys, models and sculptures. What’s interesting about his wooden toys is that many of them work like modern electronic toys.Model of illuminated Chaubees Dari made by Gopal Khanna (BCCL/ IB Singh)Gopal has made a wooden model of the Shimla Railway Station , which has a moving wooden toy train. Khanna has also made a working model of a ropeway along with wooden sculptures, which showcase modern art, His creations are influenced with Roman, Mughal and Buddha styles of architecture. He has also displayed his wooden toys and models in various exhibitions in Delhi, Lucknow and Kanpur. Speaking on the same Khanna says, "I have learned this art from my father. In my childhood, I used to play with wooden toys. I remember those beautiful wooden toys that my father got for us from Varanasi. Later, this art vanished from Varanasi too. Then, I took it as a challenge and decided to make wooden toys so that they attract children." Khanna, whose art people come from far and wide to see, says that more people should come forward to learn this art form so that it stays alive in future too.Model of Shimla railway station made by Gopal Khanna (BCCL/ IB Singh)

Stay updated with all the Kanpur Live News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.