Francis Buchanan never visited Talakad; however, he did visit Malingi (Malingy), a small village opposite Talakad across the banks of the river Kaveri. To us, Buchanan’s recording at Malingi provided a vital breakthrough while researching for our documentary and book on the Curse of Talakad. In spite of our being able to draw some insights from Buchanan’s Journey we were disappointed by his remark that “circumstances would not permit me [Buchanan] to investigate the particulars [pertaining to the sand dunes] on the spot.” If he had, it would have been a critically important record for historians and archaeologists in their study of the sand dunes of Talakad.
