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A night-time photograph of a Mallakhamb-style pole performance: several shirtless boys in shorts climb and balance on a tall wooden pole, one at the very top arching backward with arms raised, others gripping the pole at mid-height and braced on the shoulders of those below. In the foreground, two boys lie horizontally on the base, supporting the human pyramid, while a younger boy in the right foreground watches and holds the structure. Shorts are navy, blue, black with yellow stripes, and maroon. A man in a white shirt stands at the lower left near a white-covered table and speaker. Warm stage lights and dark trees form the background.

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Night photograph of a Mallakhamb-style pole display: several shirtless young boys in shorts climb and balance on a tall vertical wooden pole against a black sky. One boy in blue shorts is inverted at the top, legs hooked over the pole, arms reaching out. Below, others grip the pole with hands and arms, one bent forward with head near the pole, and a shaved-headed boy in the foreground watches. Warm lamplight highlights their bare skin. No ritual, deity or figure resembling the spiritual leader appears in the scene.2012-06-03Night photograph of boys performing a human pyramid and gymnastic display on a vertical wooden pole set on striped mattresses. A boy in a blue top stands at the top of the pole in a backbend, with others climbing and gripping the pole below. Several shirtless boys in dark shorts and a boy in a yellow and blue shirt watch and support from the sides, and a boy in red shorts stands at right. A man in white shirt stands in the background near a speaker and a white canopy, with trees beyond. No a person candidate is visible.2012-06-03Night photo of boys climbing a tall wooden pole at an outdoor event, a human pyramid style stack. A boy at the top balances on the pole, with several shirtless boys in dark shorts stacked below, gripping the pole with hands and knees. A man in a white shirt and dhoti-style white clothing watches at left, and other people stand beside the pole near a white and orange tent with bright lights overhead. A red banner with a white dove logo and Tamil script hangs behind the tent.2012-06-03Night photo of young boys performing a Mallakhamb-style pole display against a black sky, with a wooden pole rising through the centre. A boy in blue shorts hangs upside down near the top, while others in dark shorts hold poses with arms raised and bodies arched around the pole. Below, shirtless boys with shaved heads and white or sandalwood markings on their foreheads watch intently, and an adult man in a white shirt stands at the right. A small purple logo appears at lower left. The scene is lit warmly by artificial light against the dark night.2012-06-03Night photograph of a pole-climbing or human pyramid display on an open outdoor ground. Several shirtless boys in shorts climb and stand on a tall wooden pole, one near the top in blue shorts, others gripping it below. Adults in white shirts and dhotis stand around the base, and a woman in a white sari watches at right. Boys in red and dark shorts crouch and lean at the foot of the pole, while a white cloth-covered platform and a speaker box sit at the edges. Dark sky and trees form the background.2012-06-03June 03 20122012-06-03June 03 20122012-06-03June 03 20122012-06-03June 03 20122012-06-03Night photograph of a group of shirtless boys performing a gymnastic pole display on an outdoor stage. Two boys in navy shorts balance and spring on a vertical wooden pole, one with arms and legs extended in mid-air. Boys below form a human pyramid and stretch across striped cushions, some with palms pressed together. A man in a yellow shirt and blue track pants stands at left watching, with a speaker and microphone stand nearby and an illuminated stage floor behind.2012-06-03June 03 20122012-06-03June 03 20122012-06-03