The Smile of Murugan

Tamil culture, the culture of southern India, is the last surviving classical culture in existence. Inspired by an Indian astrologer, the author of this book set out by bus on a journey around the religious and historical sites of southern India. This is an account of his journey.

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Tamil culture, the culture of southern India, is the last surviving classical culture in existence. Inspired by an Indian astrologer, who tells him, accurately as it turns out, that he will have two daughters, the author set out on a journey around the great religious and historical sites of southern India. There are moments of great grandeur and awe, and humility in the face of ordinary peasants leading rich cultural lives, but also of humour and incongruity.