Volume commemorating the tenth death anniversary of Palakkad Mani Iyer, 1913-1981, Mridangam player from South India; comprises articles on his life.

Some six centuries ago, waves of families from one of the most conservative communities of the Cauvery basin took the remarkable decision to migrate across the peninsula to an un-known land. What drove them from the comforts and privileges of life in Thanjavur? What drew them to the wooded banks of a river on the other side of the mountains? What did they find when they arrived? What kind of life did they build? From Cauvery to Neela tells the history of the Tamil agraharams along the Neela River in Palakkad. In crisp and readable prose, the author sketches a community dedicated to scriptur-al tradition and traces its forays over time into politics, science and the arts. Like all perpetual students of human history, he also looks into the future—what does it hold for the ever-changing agraharams and their people?

A critical study of the distinctive styles and musical achievements of 14 great masters of Carnatic music who appeared during 1930-65.

This one-volume thematic encyclopedia examines life in contemporary India, with topical sections focusing on geography, history, government and politics, economy, social classes and ethnicity, religion, food, etiquette, literature and drama, and more. Modern Indian, an addition to the Understanding Modern Nations series, is an in-depth and interdisciplinary encyclopedia. While many books on life in India exist today, this volume is unique as a concise, accessible overview of multiple aspects of Indian society and history. It will be a useful background or supplemental text for anyone interested in modern Indian life and culture. Individual chapters address all aspects of life in 21st-century India, from geography and history to economy and religion to etiquette and sports. Each chapter begins with an overview, followed by entries on, for example, major political parties or literary works. Each overview and entry is self-contained and accompanied by an up-to-date Further Reading list.