The Smile of Murugan

This is the story of Michael Wood's journey around the great religious and historical sites of southern India. It contains moments of grandeur and awe, and humility, in the face of ordinary peasants leading rich cultural lives.

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The Tamil culture, the culture of southern India, is the last surviving classical culture in full working order. Inspired by an Indian astrologer, who tells him - accurately, as it turns out - that he will have two daughters, Michael Wood sets out on a journey around the great religious and historical sites of southern india. It contains moments of grandeur and awe, and humility, in the face of ordinary peasants leading rich cultural lives.