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The Kothar tribe of Kollimalai in the Nilgiris | Photo courtesy: Naveenraj Gautaman
For the past two years, Chennai-based photographer Naveenraj Gautaman has been documenting tribal life in Tamil Nadu. He is particularly fond of their festivals and how despite changing times, the celebrations remain the same. Naveenraj is set to exhibit 35 photographs from his series in a show titled ‘Roots and Rhythms: Tribal Tales’ at the Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum.
Masi Magam festival in Mamallapuram | Photo courtesy: Naveenraj Gautaman
Naveenraj has been spending a lot of time in remote tribal settlements in the Nilgiris to photograph the Todas and Kothars, as well as the Irula people of Chengalpattu, Viluppuram and Tindivanam. His show, to be held as part of World Folklore Day on August 22, will feature photographs of the annual festival of the Toda people. “They celebrate it to pray for a good harvest next year,” he says. On the second day of the two-day festival, the pastoral tribe prays for their cattle, especially their buffaloes, he adds.
Naveenraj Gautaman Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
They have also documented the Masi Magam festival celebrated by the Irulas during the Tamil month of ‘Masi’. “People worship their deity Kanniyamma, gather at the Mamallapuram beach near the Shore temple,” says Naveenraj, adding that the young and old come together to cook food. Pongal They bring water in pots on wooden boards to offer to their deity. “They take the sea water to their homes as blessings from Kanniamma,” he says.
Naveenraj says even men and women who go to far-off places for work make sure to travel to Mamallapuram to participate in the festival. “Many families walk for more than a day from their hometowns to reach the beach to celebrate the festival,” he says, adding that nothing has changed over the years. “They hold on to their traditions and belief systems strongly,” he says.
Todas of the Nilgiris | Photo courtesy: Naveenraj Gautaman
Naveenraj, who also does wedding photoshoots, wants to record the daily life of every tribe in Tamil Nadu. “There are 36 tribes in the state and I want to cover every aspect of their lives – from birth to death,” he says. He knows it is a huge task and adds, “It will take me at least 15 years.”
Roots and Rhythms: Tribal Tales will be on display at Kadambari Gallery, Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum, Muttukadu, till August 28. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 7 pm on weekends.
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