Photos

The nadaswaram is the most popular, classical musical- instrument of South India. The body is made from the wood of the aacha and the mouth is made either of wood or metal. It is very loud - indeed it is the world's loudest non-brass acoustic instrument. One may hear it most frequently played at a wedding or in a temple.

I photographed it at the Chamundeshvara Temple at the summit of Chamundi Hill, a few kilometres southeast of Mysore. This temple was built in the 17th C by the Wodeyars, but has since undergone renovation. It is dedicated to the goddess Durga, and celebrates her victory over the buffalo god.