← Field notes

Conversations

Went to Draupadi Amman, need to collect pen drive and give photos to priest. He gave us a lemon from the karagam, kept in a near-perfect fresh state from 10 days before. Claimed it had cured his daughter of incessant menstrual bleeding. Lemon as a thing with “uyir” which protects, absorbs negative/evil eye forces. Not used in this temple as a “head” of the deity. Talked again about his bypass, how he survived it and needed more procedures which they (family) rejected. Do you have faith in God, asks the physician (Kadavul mela nambikkai irukka) – to which Rangaradjou laughs and says “why I have a God who has faith in me!” (Yenmela nambikkai veccha kadavule irukkale!)