Illustrated lecture by Shri Balan Nambiar, well-known artist
 
The snake motif has influenced poetry, philosophy, performing arts, painting, sculpture and ornament among every ethnic group down the centuries throughout the world. Referring to these motifs in legend and folklore from an artist's point of view, the speaker will share what he has observed of the systems and rituals of snake worship in Kerala and Tulunadu in Karnataka. A peculiarity of this region is the practice of Vedic as well as pre-Aryan rituals. While subsuming influences from different religions, the ethnic culture has remained intact, and there is vigorous participation by every age group, caste and class