OF Todas

 Untold of Glares

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The Todas have been unique, like the Nilgiris they have always been in the media glare, i had always wanted to write about them because i have been associated with them since my teens and have grown hearing about their folklore and legends. It did strike me if i had to draw equals or measure them with other similar indigenous tribes, it would be hard to draw parallel hence the uniqueness and i can elaborate many such uniqueness of the Todas of one being of Vegetarian in eating habits of unique dialect with phonetics that have any inkling with the Dravidian or Sanskrit lineages. They have been the most written about most mentioned about indigenous people of the Nilgiris. Which makes me the question about - other equally or more precarious native communities that inhabit the Nilgiri Biosphere, pretty much unknown much to the outside world. The Todas have been in the limelight as a flagship community in the Nilgiris - when you mention about Nilgiris the thoughts that linger would obviously will include that of Todas as well. In the broader spectrum it is immaterial of who hogs the limelight until at least they get the exposure which would be of immense help in the upliftment of these communities, having said that the Todas are relatively on a better wicket, Then the Cholanaikens and Paniyas.

It is time we threw some light on these people as well.

Shot on Pothili son's marriage Filming session by A Belgian Film Crew with Vasamalli 

For More On Todas

Todas the Story on Front line 

Wikipedia - Todas

 

Transports

Transport by all Means

Is this an apt image for the term.  Near Sathyamangalam in the Black Buck Sanctuary this is indeed way of life - the development is word that is near non existent here, in a euphemistic view the great debate of development vs conservation will have no takers from the communities that inhabits these forest areas which is again the most crucial elephant corridor. 

Now where do we draw the line? 

The Nilgiri Peak

The Moolakad Times

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In my quest to probagate Nilgiris – of its grandures and uniqueness I lost unto the time and as the buck keeps passing on to another time and nother day.I need to get my acts together, to keep the momentum on I am going to blog mostly of back logged photos - the above one is a compelsive blog material

Moolakadh 22 km from Gudalur it is lynch pin in the 'O' Valley basin at 4330 ft msl groovy gorge's under belly of the Nilgiri high lands flanked by the Nilgiri Peak at 8320 ft msl of it looks like a typical third world country side small plantation settlement of the Birla Jaishree plantation, the plantation has run in to huge legal embroil as the said tracts of land belonged to Nilambur Kovilagam which where turned over to the Birlas who converted large extant of prime forest in the tea, coffee and spice plantation suppose to be around 16000 acres – as the Supreme court has directed the birlas to maintain status quo and there isnt much estate works happening the the labour force have moved out in search of better pasture this settlement wears a deserted looks. We found curious infants peeving at us on our quest to Nilgiri Peak ( that is an another blog do coming soon, I hope so...)