These two very young participants in pariyakali followed all the rules required of participants in this mock-combat. Formally dressed, they charmed the crowd with their determination...
Mentorship used to play an essential role in Kodava society when it came to young men being introduced or initiated into various social roles. Even...
A stylized mock-combat between two opponents armed with toorae kol, long, flexible canes and woven rattan shields, pariyakali is part of the dances conducted in the...
An assortment of wooden grain measures dating back to different eras. They were used to measure mainly paddy, as it was loaded onto bullock carts...
Boxes made of woven cane in different sizes and shapes were used to store clothes, valuables and jewellery. In the image, the largest box was...
Terracotta pots with small perforations known as thengala were placed in the yard, and a small quantity of eri (beeswax) place inside to attract wild...
The forcible annexation of Kodagu by the British in 1834 CE created a community of Europeans that grew from the officers of the Madras Regiment...
Madikeri Fort, which was established during the reign of Muddu Raja, possibly in or around 1680 CE, when he shifted his capital from Paleri to...
Gaddige, a royal memorial complex built on a hill at the northern limits of Madikeri once enjoyed a sweeping view of the town. Two regal...
Tiered earthenware pots were used to make kachina kall (a clear rice wine distilled from germinated paddy) which was very popular in Kodagu. The tiered...
Mukkali is a low, three-legged wooden stool, used on ceremonial occasions, or when it is necessary to mark status or offer respect. It is used...
Excess, starchy water from boiling rice was poured into a kanji kala (large earthenware pot with a base) that was usually placed on the floor...
A wooden bracket fixed on a wall, for placing lamps. — From the collection of BP Appanna and Ranu Appanna
Woven basket, made from wotae, a variety of bamboo, suspended on a wooden slat over the cooking fire. It was used to store jaggery, smoked,...
Stone weights and measures were used for weighing grain, and also fresh food such as pork. In the image, anticlockwise from upper right: kalle mana,...
As the okka (patrilineal descent group) prepares to bring in the harvest, a newly woven palm leaf mat is spread on the floor, the puthari basket placed...
On puthari (rice harvest festival) night, before the harvest, decorating various implements and sacred spaces with wet rice paste to welcome the new crop is an...
Led by a young woman bearing the taliyatakkibolcha (bell metal platter heaped with rice on which a lit lamp is placed) the dudipatkaras, once again, sing...
During puthari (rice harvest festival), celebrations are spread over several days, with dances and songs for different occasions. This is when many symbolic stories are revived...
One of the taliyatakkibolchas from the kitchen is carried by a young woman of the okka, who leads the way to the rice fields, followed...