A black and white portrait photograph of an Indian man climbing a palm tree. His back is facing the camera, both hands are wrapped round the tree and his legs are half-bent with his bear feet resting on the trunk. He wears a loincloth and turban. A pole can be seen leaning against the foot of the trunk. The ground and other trees nearby are visible; the top of the tree is out of shot. Original caption (beneath, in ink): ‘Toddy Tapper’.

‘Toddy’ is one of many names used in India and Sri Lanka for palm wine. This alcoholic drink is made from the sap of palm trees. A person who performs the dangerous task of climbing trees to collect sap is often referred to as a ‘toddy tapper’ (also ‘toddy drawer’ or ‘toddy climber’) in English.