The Many Faces of Murukan:
The History and Meaning of a South Indian God

By Fred W. Clothey

Dr. Fred W. Clothey is a leader in the creation of the field of Ritual Studies and the pioneer of ethnographic fieldwork and documentation of religious practice in India. A distinguished scholar and documenter of ritual, Dr. Clothey is editor of five special issues of the Journal of Ritual Studies, author of some twenty articles and Tamil story translations and six books:

1. Religion in India: A Historical Introduction (2004);
2. Quiescence and Passion: The Vision of Arunakiri, Tamil Mystic (1996);
3. Rhythm and Intent: Ritual Studies from South India (1983);
4. Experiencing Siva: Encounters with a Hindu Deity, coeditor (1984, 2003);
5. Images of Man: Religion and Historical Progress in South Asia, editor (1982); and
6. The Many Faces of Murukan: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God (1978).

He is also producer/director of six documentaries:

1. "Journey of Faith: Serbian Orthodox Americans in Pittsburgh" (1992);
2. "Pilgrimage to Pittsburgh" (1990);
3. "Consecration of a Temple (1979, 1990);
4. "Pankuni Uttiram: A Festival of Marriage (1974);
5. "Skanda-Sasti: A Festival of Conquest" (1973); and
6. "Yakam: A Fire Ritual in South Asia" (1973).

The last three films are reproduced as "The Festivals Experience of South India" (1992). Dr. Clothey's current book projects are Ritualizing on the Boundaries: Tamils Away from Home and What's in a Festival? Studies of Bonalu in Hyderabad, editor.

Karttikeya in ancient Cambodia
Karttikeya in ancient China
Skanda in Chinese Buddhism
Index of research articles on Skanda-Murukan