The Todas are a small but well-documented indigenous community of former buffalo pastoralists, residing in the northwestern region of Tamil Nadu's Nilgiri Mountains in South India. For generations, Toda women have maintained a long tradition of embroidering clothing items, particularly cloaks and loinclothes, which are used within the community and serve as important exchange items with neighbouring indigenous groups. Over the past century, this craft has expanded significantly, evolving into a major source of income for many Toda women and their households. In the last fifty years, Toda embroidery, a practice traditionally exclusive to the women of the community, has gained increasing recognition from textile and design specialists, becoming an integral part of India's rapidly growing fashion industry.