M.N. SRINIVAS: The Man and His Work

M.N. Srinivas is like a colossus in social science research in India. Known for his empirical and analytical approaches in studying continuity and change in Indian society, Srinivas has developed a number of concepts. Some scholars have agreed with his concepts while some others have strong reservations and disagreement. But it is difficult to remain indifferent to what he has contributed.

The book takes a fresh look into Srinivas’ concepts and contributions to the field. It contains reminiscences, appreciations and critical evaluations of Srinivas by a number of social scientists in India, including some of his students. As some scholars have covered similar theme, some overlap in the presentations was bound to happen and this has been retained deliberately following Srinivas’ own dictum that social reality, when looked from different viewpoints, enhances its understanding.

The book will be useful for social scientists in general as well as social anthropologists and sociologists in particular.

P.K. Misra is former Professor of Anthropology, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. He was Visiting Professor at the University of Oregon, Eugene; University of Mysore, Mysore; and University of West Indies, Trinidad. He has published several books and research papers. His recent books are “My Anthropological Journeys” and “Anthropology in India”.

K.K. Basa is Director, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal.

A former Commonwealth Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Cambridge, he has edited two books, “Archaeology of Orissa” and “Understanding Heritage: Role of Museums.” He is the Founder Editor of the journal “Humankind” and the General Editor of a Series on “Intangible Cultural Heritage of India”. He has published papers in archaeology, anthropology, and museology.

H.K. Bhat is Professor of Anthropology at University of Mysore, Mysore. Earlier he served in Anthropological Survey of India and as lecturer, NEHU, Shillong.

He is also the General Secretary of Society for Indian Medical Anthropology.