William Tallotte is currently Research Associate at the Institut de recherche en Musicologie (CNRS - Sorbonne University). He has published widely on the classical, folk and tribal musical traditions of Tamil Nadu, including several CDs for the well-known collection Ocora Radio France.
The book offers an insightful perspective on the cultural logic of the periya mēḷam tradition, emphasizing the integral role of performing and listening in Hindu temple worship’s sensory, affective, and kinetic experiences. Overall, Music and Temple Ritual in South India is a rich and vivid ethnographic study that contributes to understanding the complex relationship between music, ritual, and religion. The book will appeal to scholars and students interested in Hindu Studies, psychological anthropology of ritual traditions, ethnomusicology, religious studies, and South Asian culture, as well as to anyone interested in the cultural and spiritual aspects of music. - Vineet Gairola for International Journal of Hindu Studies