Close-up view of the playing end of a sattakulai multiple-reed aerophone, an earlier version of the longer bari nāgasvaram. Composed of a wooden pipe with ten holes, a brass bell, and a brass staple to attach the reed. Extra reeds hang by strings. Its player Mukkasāmi, age 55, said the sattakulai (cattak kuḻāy) is becoming extinct.
Performance of a dance by the Om Periyaswamy dance troupe at the Tamil Nadu Hotel. Dancer balances a kavadi (small wooden structure with an arch covered with a piece of cloth) on his back while dancing. Blurry photo.
Venkatacalam Tevar (aka Pillai), professional singer and tep player, singing “Kaman Pāndigai,” a Tamil lavani genre sung in debate form. He has no sisyas as the form is out of fashion.
An Aiyanar temple guardian: Cement statue of god Aiyanar (goddess?) astride a rearing white horse (Kalki), placed on a high pedestal at the corner of a temple wall. His (?) consort or servant Puranai stands beneath the horse with other figures. The slide was taken en route between Madurai and Usilampatty.
Madurai Minakshi Temple bhajana mandali group devotional singing in front of the candle-lit altar to many deities, represented in framed Tanjore style paintings. Baby Krishna is distinguishable on left side. Probably Meenakshi is in the center. Tiruppati, age 62 and the bhajan group leader, is barely distinguishable on left side, second in the line, after the harmonium player. Others hold lyric books as they sing the songs that A. A. Bake recorded in 1938 (Tefi 7.6, a Tirupaha - Praise of God, 14.1, 14.6, and 14.4, as well as six other items, including newer bhajans and an arati). Nazir Ali Jairazbhoy and Amy Catlin-Jairazbhoy went to Madurai especially to meet Tiruppati, whom A. A. Bake recorded in 1938.
Seated portrait of Tiruppati, age 62, singing, the blind leader of Madurai Meenakshi Temple bhajan mandali (group devotional, sacred song singers). Nazir Ali Jairazbhoy and Amy Catlin-Jairazbhoy went to Madurai especially to meet Tiruppati, whom A. A. Bake recorded in 1938.
Venkatacalam Tevar (aka Pillai) professional singer and tep player. Singing “Kaman Pāndigai,” a Tamil lavani genre in debate form, while playing tep (frame drum). Looking downward, his fingers are splayed in both hands. He wears a silver ring on his left index finger. Young boy in the audience smiles.
Minatchi Sundaram Tevar identified some Bake items, including a singer who was his teacher. He was a non-professional musician associated with Vinayakar Temple (Maravar), Terku Madi Viti (Madurai).
Venkatacalam Tevar (also known as Pillai) professional singer and tep player. Singing “Kaman Pāndigai,” a lavani genre sung in debate form, while playing tep (frame drum). With his eyes closed, he gestures with his right hand.
