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A photograph of a temple stage backdrop being painted during evening festivities. A man in white dhoti and shirt with a yellow shawl stands at the right, holding a paint pot and brush while painting a dark blue oval with a white crescent on a burlap-like cloth. Above is a painted face of a woman with dark hair, a red-and-gold headband and earrings, and a painted sword and crescent-shaped blade hang on the backdrop. At left are yellow and white flower garlands. In the lower right a seated man in white clothing holds a lit lamp near a red pillar, with a blue wall behind.

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A standing man in plain white dhoti-style clothing with a yellow shawl draped over one shoulder holds a small woven basket-like container while stepping toward a painted backdrop. Behind him, a seated man in a white shirt sits near lit candles. The backdrop is burlap-toned with a painted blue oval moon-like shape, a painted female face with a red-and-gold headband, and a painted sword-like device. Yellow and white garlands frame the left edge, and red, green and white candles burn on the right beside a red brick-pattern wall. The scene appears to be a ritual or staged performance setting.2008-12-28A temple-style stage at a Brahmotsavam celebration shows a standing priest in white dhoti and shirt with a yellow shawl pouring liquid from a blue-tinted vessel near a painted backdrop of a woman's profile with a sun or moon-like disk and crossed swords. Garlands of yellow and red flowers and a gold ornate palanquin or deity canopy frame the left. A seated attendant in white lights candles along the lower right ledge. Visible people: two.2008-12-28December 28 20082008-12-28December 15 20072007-12-15A photograph of a Shiva lingam being bathed in a temple sanctum. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold-bead necklace and gold-yellow border pours white granular offering onto the black stone lingam from a silver bowl. Beside him stands a second priest in white with a gold chain, white forehead marks and a red-bordered cloth. Behind the lingam, a deity murti is decorated with red roses, yellow marigolds and green leaves, wearing a red-and-gold sari and jewelled ornaments. Gold-patterned panels and a blue curtain frame the shrine. This appears to be a lingam abhishekam.2011-09-13A person in profile wearing an orange saffron robe and long dark wavy hair is painting or touching up the eyes of a gold-coloured deity murti with a fine brush. The murti wears a tall ornate crown, a white dhoti-like garment with gold trim, a beaded necklace and bangles. A microphone on a stand is in the foreground. Behind, a red and gold figure, a golden statue and a pink painted backdrop are visible.2006-08-20Photograph of a padapuja-style ritual on an illuminated stage at night. A seated figure in pink and red robes sits on a gold-trimmed throne draped with a white cloth and red flower garlands, while several people attend: a man in white shirt and trousers bends forward with an offering, a woman in a white sari and a young woman in a green-and-gold dress stand nearby, and a man in a red-orange dhoti stands at left. Behind them a blue backdrop, a trident and a Shiva lingam-like form add to the set. In the foreground, seated devotees in white and orange watch from the edge of the stage. Visible people are on stage and in the lower foreground.2009-07-07July 07 20092009-07-07A young shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with gold border and a rudraksha mala leans over a stone platform in a temple sanctum, arranging bundles of dried grass and rope beside brass kalasha pots. Behind him a large blue-draped linga stands, garlanded with yellow and white flower strands, with orange and purple cloth hangings and a brass lamp stand at right. The setting appears to be a temple ritual preparation.2011-12-10A photograph of a festival stage under a white draped tent with blue backdrop and stage lights. Foreground left, a seated figure in a cream shawl and tan turban, with a garland of orange and purple flowers and a zebra-patterned seat, watches the stage. On the red-carpeted stage, costumed performers in ornate headdresses and colourful saris and dhotis stand around a purple-draped platform; one holds a trident and wears a crown. A kneeling figure in white sits at the front, and a standing person in white clothing stands at right. Flower petals scatter the stage steps. Scattered rose petals and garlands suggest a Jayanti Brahmotsavam celebration performance.2008-12-29A photograph of a ceremonial scene inside a dimly lit hall. In the left foreground, a person in a white dhoti and white turban holds a long gold-tipped staff while stepping beside a gold-framed throne draped with yellow and red marigold garlands. Above the throne hangs a red, blue and yellow tasselled canopy. On the right, a bald man in a white shirt wears a red and green shawl over his shoulder and watches the scene. Small lamps glow on wall niches decorated with white flower garlands, and a ceremonial vessel stands at the right edge.2010-12-29November 29 20092009-11-29