Mumbai will host a landmark exhibition celebrating the textile traditions of the Toda community from the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. Titled Nilgiri Threads: The Art of The Toda, the exhibition opens to the public on June 13 at 47-A, Khotachi Wadi, Girgaum, marking the first time this rare embroidery tradition is being presented in Mumbai through a dedicated exhibition format.
A First for Mumbai
The exhibition brings together large-format embroidered textile panels, contemporary home textile explorations and motifs inspired by the landscapes of the Nilgiris. Through these works, visitors will encounter Toda embroidery not only as a craft tradition but also as a visual art form shaped by geometry, ecology and generations of cultural knowledge.
The exhibition will run from June 13 to June 28, remaining closed on Mondays. Visitors can view the works between 11 AM and 7 PM.
The Art of Toda Embroidery
Toda embroidery, locally known as Pukhoor, is practised by women of the Toda community and is recognised as a Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged craft. The embroidery is distinguished by red and black threadwork on an ivory cotton base and is created without sketches, tracing methods or embroidery frames. Instead, artisans work by counting threads and stitching from memory.
The tradition has been passed down through generations and remains closely connected to the cultural identity of the Toda people of the Nilgiris.
Motifs Inspired by the Nilgiris
Many of the works in Nilgiri Threads draw inspiration from the environment surrounding Toda settlements. Mountain ranges, temple lamps and native flora from the Shola forests appear as recurring visual references throughout the exhibition.
Traditional Toda motifs have historically reflected elements of nature, animals, landscapes and everyday life, translating ecological observations into geometric forms.
Highlights of the Exhibition
- Large-format embroidered textile artworks
- Contemporary interpretations of Toda textile traditions
- Botanical and landscape-inspired motifs from the Nilgiris
- Works created entirely through hand embroidery
- Opportunities to meet senior Toda artisans during the opening weekend
Traditional Techniques on Display
Among the techniques featured in the exhibition is Murssh, a tufting method that produces a sculptural surface texture. Another highlighted technique is Octvectt Pukhoor, a traditional stitch valued for its durability and precision.
The exhibition demonstrates how Toda artisans continue to preserve specialised methods while adapting the medium to contemporary textile formats.
Meeting the Artisans
For the opening weekend, senior Toda artisans will travel from the Nilgiris to Mumbai. Their presence will offer visitors a chance to learn directly about the processes, stories and cultural significance behind the embroidery.
The interaction aims to provide insight into a living tradition that continues to be sustained within the community despite the challenges faced by many indigenous craft practices today. Recent discussions around Toda embroidery have highlighted the importance of preserving the community’s ownership and recognition of this GI-protected art form.
About the Venue
The exhibition is being presented at 47-A, a gallery dedicated to the intersection of art, craft and design. Located within Mumbai’s historic Khotachiwadi neighbourhood, the gallery operates from a restored nineteenth-century Portuguese-style house and regularly presents exhibitions focused on material culture, craftsmanship and design-led practices.
Khotachiwadi itself is one of Mumbai’s best-known heritage precincts, recognised for its historic architecture and distinctive village character within the city.
Visitor Information
| Event Name | Details |
| Artist | Nilgiri Threads: The Art of The Toda |
| Artist | Women Artisans of the Toda Community |
| Venue | 47-A, Khotachi Wadi |
| City | Mumbai |
| Opening Date | 13 June |
| Exhibition Dates | 13 June – 28 June |
| Organiser | Coonoor & Co. / 47-A |
| Timings | 11 AM – 7 PM (Closed Mondays) |
| Entry | Not specified |
| Website | https://47agallery.com/ |
Conclusion
Nilgiri Threads: The Art of The Toda introduces Mumbai audiences to an indigenous textile tradition that has been preserved through generations of women artisans in the Nilgiri Hills. By presenting both traditional techniques and contemporary applications, the exhibition highlights the cultural knowledge embedded within Toda embroidery while creating a platform for dialogue around heritage, craftsmanship and community-led artistic practice. The presence of senior artisans further strengthens the exhibition’s role as an encounter with a living cultural tradition.
