Taldi or Taalki

This circular piece of leather was kept under the head of a newborn baby to keep it cool and steady. On the sixth day after birth, when the baby is ritually welcomed in the family, a leather artisan would bring the taalki to the family and be suitably rewarded. The taalki is variously known as chhithri, khaladi, khadki and sagi by various communities in Banni. It is still commonly used across Kutch and sourced locally from the leather artisans. The family would apply oil on to it to keep the leather cool for the baby’s head.