Toda Handipurse

This Toda embroidery is a strong cultural identity of the people and signifies the exchange of products and services. The Toda community faced the issue of meeting the demands of the market without compromising on the cultural symbolism of their craft. In 2008 the work to getting the Toda embroidery under Geographic Indication (GI) was undertaken with the help of Winlexis from Bangalore and 2013 Keystone finally successfully advocated for getting the GI mark for Toda Embroidery.

A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products which correspond to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g. a town, region, or a country). The use of GI may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin.

Get a unique perspective on embroidery of the Toda community through these products. Hand embroidered to perfection, the community has been maneuvering with this traditional method of embroidery where every single pattern is unique!

The design has a Geographical Indication, meaning the design solely belongs to the Toda community and cannot be replicated by anyone else. Only a very few women belonging to the community are involved in the embroidery process, making this a part of cultural history!