The Todas are the most ancient, indigenous, pastoral people inhabiting the Nilgiri hills. They live on the highest reaches of the Nilgiris plateau, in hamlets called munds, made of unique barrel-vaulted homes and diary temples, and typically set in the montane grasslands with adjoining Shola forests. One of the oldest communities in southern India, the Todas have attracted anthropologists from across the world for a couple of centuries.
The women of the indigenous Toda community from the Nilgiri highlands, are extraordinary artisans known for their distinctive black and red embroidery. Guided by only their fingers, they deftly count the threads of the cotton cloth as they recreate nature-inspired traditional motifs with the appropriate stitches. There are less than 2000 Todas in the world today and they live in the Nilgiris. Only a few hundred artisans from the community practise the embroidery, making it an endangered art form that needs thoughtful and continued preservation.
In 2013, the art received a Geographical Indicator (GI).
Young girls start learning to embroider at about puberty. On many occasions, I have seen them gather around and learn from the older women. It’s common to see groups of Toda ladies of different age groups happily seated upon a knoll in their hamlet, usually under the shade of a large tree, engaged in their art. It evokes a slowness of living and communal life, which the Todas still maintain despite the rush of the world around them. The women take pride in the painstaking perfection required for the embroidery, and thrive in the communal settings it created.
Some excerpts for this essay have been taken from from Soul of the Nilgiris, Ramya Reddy, Published 2018
Ramya Reddy
Ramya is a visual storyteller, photographer, author, and entrepreneur. Her acclaimed book, "Soul of the Nilgiris: A Journey through the Mountains" explores the UNESCO-recognized Blue Mountains and its indigenous communities, highlighting their cultural and ecological richness through narratives, writings, and photographs. Deeply engaged in the Nilgiris, Ramya works closely with the Toda artisans to ensure their GI-tagged art form is preserved, celebrated, and integrated into the contemporary landscape.
Pranoy Biswas
Pranoy Biswas is a self-taught visual storyteller. His knack for telling stories evolved through his desire to create meaningful content that is inspired by his life experiences, often including artists and travel. Over a span of 5 years, he has created content that is honest, artistically driven, and visually appealing. He has worked with young entrepreneurs, artists, and business start-ups. His vision is to enable growing artists and brands to create their most authentic stories.
