Sikh action figures aim to make children proud

An idea that two friends had in a living room has now snowballed into an international business, Khalsa Toys Store, which created its first action figures in 2021.

Co-founder Sukh Singh, from Coventry, said the business was receiving lots of orders from Canada, America, India and Australia.

"We've got a global reach now," Mr Singh said.

Explaining the genesis of the business, he said: "I was with my business partner at his house. He’s got two young boys who were playing with their toys and they turned around to us and said 'why aren’t there any toys that look like us?'

"That was a lightbulb moment when we thought 'yeah actually, why don’t we have toys that represent our image, our characteristics?' Because we have a very distinct appearance."

The online business, run from Leicester, began with a toy called Baaj Singh, who is dressed in navy blue and displays the five articles of faith ordained Sikhs wear.

These include uncut hair covered by a turban, a steel bangle called a kara and a ceremonial dagger, called a kirpan.

The range was expanded with two extra characters called Tegh Kaur and Sher Singh, each available in two colours, for a total of six figurines.

The business also has plans to expand beyond the figurines.

"We want to give the characters a back story and make animations so kids can take away a piece of education about Sikh culture and our heritage," Mr Singh said.

Sukhwinder Singh, from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Academy, travels the world teaching Sikh history and says it is important for children to see toys that look like them.

"As Sikhs, we are very small in numbers and wherever we go we stand out because we are that visible," he said.

“It can be a problem when it comes to bullying or getting picked on because if you look different then you’re going to be a target.

"But when they see these figurines based on heroes from our history, it gives them that confidence that they need to go out there and be proud of who they are."

Tara and Zorawar's mother said they have never seen toys that looked like them before

Belinda, 43, from Leicester, said her younger two children were obsessed with the toys.

"They had never seen toys that look like them before, that represented them, their culture, their religion – so they were really excited," she said.

“My eldest daughter would make do by tying a turban on her teddies or draping a scarf on her dolls. There was nothing similar for her at that time.”

Her 10-year-old daughter, Tara, is particularly inspired by the female figurine.

"I love that they’re Sikh warriors and represent what Sikhs would wear when they went to battle and there’s a woman who looks like the warrior women in our history," she said.

Her seven-year-old brother, Zorawar, added: "They’re so inspiring and they’re so fun to play with."

-BBC