Indic Cultural Anthropology
Cultural anthropology helps to articulate and comprehend the insider traditional understanding of any culture.
If you are a learner seeking to acquire a fresh perspective towards world cultures through the understanding of the cultural anthropological content in the ancient Indian knowledge systems, this is the course for you.
If you are a student of Cultural Anthropology of Indian society and culture, unmindful of the lacunae caused by the absence of an insider’s understanding in the contemporary curriculum and study material, this is the course for you to plug those gaps.
Introduction
Cultural Anthropology, like few contemporary Social Science disciplines like Linguistics, has been misunderstood by some Indophiles who perceive that it looks down upon Hinduism as a primitive and superstitious culture. Contrary to this belief, cultural anthropological conceptual tools can prove beneficial in articulating an insider understanding of Hinduism.
Many students of Cultural Anthropology are unmindful of how the absence of an insider’s perspective in the contemporary curriculum and study material creates lacunae lacunae in understanding . This course intends to address the same.
Expected Outcomes
- Introduction to preliminary concepts of Cultural Anthropology from contemporary and Vedic perspectives
- Distinct methodologies and approaches in contemporary and Vedic Cultural Anthropology while dealing with same aspects of human society and culture
- Foundation required, within the globally accepted cultural anthropolgical norms, for a cultural anthropological research into the Hindu society and culture from a tradition Insider’s perspective
- Achievements of ancient Indian knowledge systems in the area of Cultural Anthropology
- Aspects of Hindu culture such as pujas, shodasa samskaras (life cycle rituals), classical , folk and tribal life styles music, dance, art, sculpture and architecture – from a Cultural Anthropological perspective
Syllabus
- Introduction to contemporary Cultural Anthropology, historical beginnings and contemporary situation ; eurocentrism to cultural relativism
- Vedic culture as an indigenous culture with distinction Vedic knowledge systems resulting from auto-anthropology and anthropologically useful content In other Vedic knowledge Systems
- Contemporary and Vedic approaches to human specifics such as language, ‘religion’, art , culture, society, marriage, family and more
- Traditional narrative types and other oral traditions from contemporary and Vedic perspectives, folk culture studies and other comparative cultural studies
- Intercultural interface, conflict, syncretism, amalgamation, folk-classical and other inter-strand relationships in Hindu culture
- Puranas, Agamas , Temples, Pujas and Utsavas – a contemporary anthropological and Vedic anthropological understanding
- Life cycle rituals or rites of passage, family, marriage and other institutions – contemporary anthropological perspectives and Vedic perspectives
- Art, theories of various art forms, aesthetics of nature and arts – contemporary and Vedic perspectives
- Varna – tradition Insider’s perspectives
- Indian village studies, village administration and traditional dispute settlement systems
- Indigenous medical, agricultural and other knowledge systems and technology
- Environmental awareness, eco-friendly approaches in Vedic, folk and tribal knowledge systems and technology
Faculty
Dr. Nagaraj Paturi
Kulapati - INDICA
Bhaarateeya Vidyaa Vibhuutih Dr. Nagaraj Paturi is a polymath and thought leader who has played a pivotal role in advancing Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). His contributions have significantly shaped academic programs, research collaborations, and dialogues between traditional Shaastric scholars and contemporary academia, ensuring their continued relevance in academia and policy-making.
Trained at home in Sanskrit and Advaita Vedanta by his erudite father, the late Sri Paturi Sitaramanjaneyulu Garu, Dr. Paturi cultivated profound expertise in classical Indian knowledge traditions from an early age. His intellectual journey reflects a rare synthesis of deep traditional wisdom and modern scholarly inquiry, making him a vital bridge between ancient and contemporary thought. His life’s work focuses on reviving, preserving, and contemporizing Indian traditions, guiding scholars and institutions to embrace authentic Indian perspectives.
As Senior Director and Dean at INDICA, Dr. Paturi spearheaded mentorship programs, research fellowships and curated diverse conferences and symposiums. These initiatives brought together distinguished scholars to explore domains such as Vedic mindfulness, yoga, Hindu aesthetics, environmentalism, polytheism, meditation, Hindu ethics and law, and various Indic traditions including Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Tantra, Bhakti, Jainism, and Buddhism. His ability to integrate Shaastric and contemporary academic frameworks has expanded INDICA’s impact, making Indian knowledge accessible to scholars, students, professionals, and homemakers alike.
For over three and a half decades, Dr. Paturi has mentored thousands of Civil Services aspirants, equipping them with logical rigor, historical clarity, and a profound experiential understanding of Indian culture and governance. His contributions have reshaped intellectual and administrative spaces, challenging colonial frameworks and restoring an authentically Indian approach to policymaking.
Dr. Paturi serves on the boards of studies and advisory councils of multiple universities and is a leading figure in Bharatiya Vidvat Parishat, a prestigious body of traditional scholars dedicated to Sanskrit and Shastric studies. His academic positions include Distinguished Professor and Curriculum Designer at the MIT School of Vedic Sciences and Board Member at Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth, Kavikulaguru Kalidasa Sanskrit University, and Veda Vijnana Gurukula. He has served as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Studies in Public Leadership and continues to serve on academic boards in the Departments of Sanskrit and Dance, as well as the School of Humanities, University of Hyderabad.
His PhD from the University of Hyderabad is a pioneering study that applies Vedic parallels to Anthropology, Psychology, Philosophy, and Aesthetics, establishing connections with classical Telugu poetry. His MPhil research introduced Paniniyan Linguistic Theory, establishing Vakyapadiyam as the theoretical foundation of Ashtadhyayi and unveiling its universal linguistic principles. His academic contributions include over 120 publications on Indian Knowledge Systems, Linguistics, Mythology, and Cultural Studies, along with 60+ conference papers on Vedic Sciences and Folk Culture Studies. He has provided consultancy for cultural research projects in theatre, dance, and literature and contributed to creative works, including scriptwriting for Classical Dance and Modern Theatre. Additionally, he is a distinguished Telugu poet, renowned for performing Ashtavadhanams, a rare literary and intellectual feat.
His institutional impact includes co-founding the Maharshi Veda Vyas MIT School of Vedic Sciences at MIT ADT University, Pune, where he designed UG, PG, and research programs that set benchmarks for IKS education. His work has influenced the expansion of IKS studies across institutions, shaping initiatives under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. As a Senior Professor at FLAME University, he pioneered courses in Comparative Religion, Law and Justice, Historiography, and Media Research. He has also served as faculty at DJ Academy of Design (Coimbatore), NID (Bengaluru), and MIT Institute of Design (Pune), developing specialized courses in Design Ethnography, Semiotics, Research Methodology, and Indian Design Aesthetics. As a Visiting Faculty at the University of Chicago, he introduced Indian traditions and linguistics to a global audience. At the University of Hyderabad, he has led extensive research on religious transgenderism, ritual-officiating sub-castes, yogic mystic folk songs, the Bonalu festival, the folk-classical interface, and inter-traditional studies.
Through his extensive research and teaching, Dr. Nagaraj Paturi continues to bridge ancient Indian wisdom with contemporary academia, policy, and governance. His work continues to revitalize and strengthen Indian sciences and cultural traditions, ensuring that Indian Knowledge Systems remain dynamic, evolving, and integral to India’s intellectual and governance framework.