In a Carnatic concert, a vocalist or instrumentalist takes the leading role. The lead is “usually supported by a violin and rhythmic or percussion accompaniment,” Sruti magazine explains in its guide to the concert.
Wikipedia’s article on Carnatic performances describes what the accompanists do: “they closely follow and augment the melodic phrases outlined by the lead singer.”
In the Kishkindha Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, the monkey king Sugriva sends out search parties to find Sita. He gives each party its direction. To his general Vinata he says, in Griffith’s translation: “Taking with you hundreds and thousands of apes, explore the eastern region with its forests, woods and mountains.”
He also fixes the deadline: “return, when a full month shall have passed.” Anyone who exceeds it, he warns, “will be punished by death.”
Mumbai’s dabbawalas deliver lunch boxes across the city. “A dabbawala can be either a foreman, mukadam, or a simple delivery man, gaddi,” Wikipedia explains. The mukadam “supervises the group, is an expert in everything that concerns the work,” according to a study published by Open Book Publishers. The study adds: “The mukadam is like the captain of a cricket team.”
Disputes go to the foremen. “All conflicts are resolved in the presence of 20 mukadams, which are selected every six years.”
Rule 4 of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961, deals with consultation between ministries: “When the subject of a case concerns more than one department, no decision be taken or order issued until all such departments have concurred, or, failing such concurrence, a decision thereon has been taken by or under the authority of the Cabinet.”
Paragraph 2(1)(b) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India sets out one ground for disqualifying a member of a legislature. It applies when the member “votes or abstains from voting in such House contrary to any direction issued by the political party to which he belongs or by any person or authority authorized by it in this behalf.”
This holds unless the member had prior permission, or unless the party, or the person who gave the direction, condones the vote “within fifteen days from the date of such voting or abstention.”
Rule 349 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha lists the rules members must observe in the House. A member “shall always address the Chair.” A member also “shall not approach the Chair personally in the House.” If it is necessary, the rule says, “The member may send chits to the officers at the Table.”
In the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, the Pandava brothers bring Draupadi home after Arjuna wins her at her swayamvara. Their mother Kunti tells them: “Enjoy ye all what hath been obtained.” This is the Ganguli translation.
Kunti then turns to Yudhishthira, the eldest: “tell me how my speech may not become untrue.” Arjuna objects. Yudhishthira settles the matter: “The auspicious Draupadi shall be the common wife of us all.”
A Bharatanatyam performance has a nattuvanar. “In Bharatanatyam, the cymbals are used by the nattuvanar or conductor to keep time,” Sruti magazine explains. The nattuvanar also recites the rhythmic syllables of the dance.
A dancer’s blog describes the role in one sentence: “The Nattuvanar cues, shapes, and supports the dancer’s every move.”
Sahib. The Rekhta dictionary gives “sahib, title of courtesy.” In Hindi it adds ehtiram ka ek lafz, a word of respect.
Bada sahab. The big sahib. Rekhta defines it as “big boss, head of a department.”
Bada afsar. The big officer. Rekhta gives “senior or superior officer, head of a department.”