The Festival: 
A spiritually rich and enchanting function is an integral part of the lifestyle of a Tamil folk community. The devotees whole understanding of faith and staunch belief lies in this yearly function that takes place in various regions of Tamil Nadu. No particular name assigned to this festival. Specific to the Goddess Mariamman and takes place at her various places of worship.

The aspect of staunch belief and faith is very much prevalent even to this day amongst certain communities of the Tamil folk. The manner in which these people express their strongly held beliefs makes this festival so unique and different from the rest. Their way of laying everything that they have in front of the Goddess and fulfilling the oath that they made to her is what we very often fail to notice. 

The interest in the subject of Tamil faith and superstitions, having witnessed the various ceremonies and pledge making of the Thevar and Nadar communities; the narrator had always been fascinated by the extent of belief of these people. But never once she tried to understand the reasoning and manner of their worship.

By undertaking this project, the narrator had not only tried to document their worship patterns, but have also gained a more personal and intimate understanding of the reason for this way of penance.

The project 'Faith and Penance of the Tamil Folk' not only involves being witness to the ceremonies, but is also about understanding the personal reasoning for the people to make such a vow and the manner in which they fulfill them.

The aim of the project was to develop a photo book that captures certain moments during the pledge making ceremony and compile it into a book. This book is an attempt to understand their thinking pattern and looks at their lifestyles. It is a journey through a religious ceremony and its significance to the devotees. The photographs are meant to read into the mindset of the devotees. 

Case Study Downloads:
• Faith and Penance of the Tamil Folk - pdf
• The Book - Faith & Penance of the Tamil Folk - pdf