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Difficulty: MediumState Society, Culture, and Heritage

The distinctive geometric embroidery craft known locally as 'Pukhoor', crafted with dark red and black woollen threads on coarse unbleached cotton fabric to produce ceremonial shawls termed 'Poothkuly', is the indigenous cultural heritage of which community and region?

  1. A
    Rabari nomadic artisans of the Kutch district in Gujarat
  2. B
    Banjara Lambani craftswomen of the Bellary region in Karnataka
  3. Toda pastoral community of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil NaduAnswer
  4. D
    Bodo indigenous weavers of the Kokrajhar region in Assam

Answer

Toda pastoral community of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu
The Toda community of the Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu) produces 'Pukhoor' (Toda embroidery), an art form passed down through generations among women. The embroidery is executed without a traced pattern by counting warp and weft threads on unbleached, thick cotton cloth, employing only red and black woollen yarn to form geometric patterns resembling woven fabric. The finished ceremonial mantle, known as 'Poothkuly', is worn during festivals and rituals and holds Geographical Indication (GI) protection.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the craft terminology and material composition given in the stem
Identified 'Pukhoor' embroidery and the ceremonial mantle 'Poothkuly', which utilize dual-tone (red and black) threads on coarse unbleached white cotton.
Recognizing specific material markers and indigenous nomenclature narrows down the craft to traditional South Indian hill tribes.
2
Correlate the traditional craft with its practicing ethnic group and regional geography
Linked Pukhoor needlework directly to the pastoral Toda tribe dwelling in the high-altitude Nilgiri plateau of Tamil Nadu.
The craft is registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act as Toda Embroidery.
3
Differentiate from other regional needlework and textile traditions
Eliminated nomadic crafts such as Kutch Rabari mirror work, Lambani cowrie-shell craft, and Bodo handloom weaving.
These traditions belong to distinct geographical tracts and feature entirely different technical embellishments.

Key Concept

State-specific tribal crafts, textile heritage, and Geographical Indication (GI) community associations
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

State Society, Culture, and Heritage

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