TOKKUDU BILLA Meaning and
Definition
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Tokkudu billa is a term from the Telugu language, predominantly used in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It refers to a traditional children's outdoor toy consisting of two wooden sticks with a string attached, generally made from cloth or fiber. The name "tokkudu billa" can be translated as "stick and string" in English.
The toy consists of a vertical wooden stick, usually about one foot in length, with a smaller cylindrical piece attached to its top. A small hole is drilled through the cylindrical piece, and a string is threaded through it. The other end of the string is then fixed to a second stick, typically of the same length. The toy is designed so that when the second stick is rotated rapidly, the string loops around the first stick's cylindrical piece. Due to centripetal force, the string remains coiled around the stick, creating a humming sound.
Tokkudu billa is a popular traditional toy for children in rural areas of these states, providing them with both entertainment and an opportunity to develop their hand-eye coordination and motor skills. It is often played outdoors and in groups, where children compete to see who can spin their tokkudu billa the longest or produce the loudest humming sound.
As technology has advanced and modern toys have become prevalent, the popularity of tokkudu billa has declined. However, it still holds cultural significance and is occasionally seen in traditional festivities or as a nostalgic relic of the past.
Etymology of TOKKUDU BILLA
The word "tokkudu billa" is of Telugu origin. "Tokkudu" means "wooden stick" or "cane", and "billa" means "cat" in Telugu. Therefore, "tokkudu billa" literally translates to "stick cat" in English.
