South Indian music has its roots in ancient times, with contributions branching from different communities and cultural groups. The oldest evidence of religious musical traditions in the South is mostly connected with Tamil Nadu. Shamanic music and dance are depicted in
Paripāṭal
, a sixth-century anthology of Tamil poetry: “The shaman . . . with his flute, and horn, and other small musical instruments . . . dances on the hills
” (Ramanujan 1981:112–115). Shamanic chants and rhythmic...
