A Toddy Drawer, Madras

A Toddy Drawer, Madras

c. 1905
Publisher No.: 
48
13.85x
8.70cm

A popular figure specific to early South Indian postcards is the toddy drawer. Palm wine was made from sap collected from trees in little pouches. Fermentation from yeast was so fast in the humid air that a mildly alcoholic drink could be had in a few hours. Most publishers has innumerable views of these men, often climbing great heights, although this man seems to be just above ground level.