The Toda tribe being pastoral in its pattern of living and residing in Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu have come to be recognized for their distinctive way of living and their elaborate embroidery and sustainable practices. The tools and utensils that the Todas use in their homes are more often than not handmade out of locally available resources such as timber, which exhibits the very function of that tool along with cultural simplicity.The wooden rice stirrer is one such traditional utensil that is a much-revered item in any Toda kitchen. Handmade out of a single piece of timber, the stirrer is a living example of the dexterity involved in its making and the concept of sustainable utilization of natural resources in practice. The stirrer features two flat circular heads placed at either end and a long somewhat-squarish handle in the middle. One of the practical aspects of the dual-headed design is that one end can be used rather than the other depending on the type or quantity of rice prepared.
Generally, the Toda people are communally engaged in cooking. This rice stirrer acts as an important kitchen tool during cooking sessions, especially those pertaining to community feasts and rituals. Heavy, easy to handle, and durable, this wooden utensil certainly has the qualities of stirring large quantities of rice in earthen or metal pots.Such objects are much more than kitchenware. They are part of a larger cultural narrative concerning minimalism, utility, and harmony with nature. Such objects traverse through generations, in which functions have not changed, but shape and construction remain traditional.