Book about Bastar

JuliaF · Jan 28th, 2008, 22:40

I've just read a great book about Bastar and would like to recommend it. It's called "After Elwin: Encounters with tribal life in central India" by Prosenjit Das Gupta, published Chronicle Books 2007. The author is from Calcutta and since the early 70's he's been making trips into the tribal villages of Bastar and Orissa. He was inspired by the writings of Verrier Elwin (British missionary-turned-anthropologist) who lived in those areas in the 30's and 40's. The book has some chapters about Elwin (but a better biography is Ramachandra Guha - Savaging the Civilised) but the more fascinating parts of the book - for me anyway - are when he writes about his own travels, impressions and experiences. I think it would probably be really interesting for anyone who has been in that area recently to see how things have changed.
I don't know how widely available the book is - I bought it at Oxford Books in Connaught Place.

capt_mahajan · Jan 28th, 2008, 23:28

Thanks. Sounds interesting, putting it on my list.

Agree that Guha's bio on Elwin was good. And he also has introduced "Lives in the Wilderness", where Elwin's autobiography is part of 3 (Salim Ali and Corbett being the other two)

snonymous · Apr 29th, 2008, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuliaF

I've just read a great book about Bastar and would like to recommend it. It's called "After Elwin: Encounters with tribal life in central India" by Prosenjit Das Gupta, published Chronicle Books 2007. The author is from Calcutta and since the early 70's he's been making trips into the tribal villages of Bastar and Orissa.

Thanks for the info. I will keep an eye out for it as I absolutely must visit the Bastar region sometime in my life.

Jorge Reverter · Apr 30th, 2008, 04:51

All the books from Verrier Elwin are very interesting. I've read "Leaves from the Jungle". Life in a Gond village. The diary of his life in a Gond Village in the Maikal Hills from 1932 to 1936.

Unfortunately is not easy to find this books.

Jorge

Jan 28th, 2008, 22:40	#1
JuliaF Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Co Cork, Ireland Posts: 75	Book about Bastar I've just read a great book about Bastar and would like to recommend it. It's called "After Elwin: Encounters with tribal life in central India" by Prosenjit Das Gupta, published Chronicle Books 2007. The author is from Calcutta and since the early 70's he's been making trips into the tribal villages of Bastar and Orissa. He was inspired by the writings of Verrier Elwin (British missionary-turned-anthropologist) who lived in those areas in the 30's and 40's. The book has some chapters about Elwin (but a better biography is Ramachandra Guha - Savaging the Civilised) but the more fascinating parts of the book - for me anyway - are when he writes about his own travels, impressions and experiences. I think it would probably be really interesting for anyone who has been in that area recently to see how things have changed. I don't know how widely available the book is - I bought it at Oxford Books in Connaught Place.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Bastar Dassera Festival	Jorge Reverter	Madhya Pradesh & Chhatisgarh	0	Feb 11th, 2007 00:46
to book or not to book lodging during Jan.	JesseK	Lodging and Hotels in India	7	Sep 13th, 2006 16:37
To book or not to book - Should I book backwater cruise before I go?	LukeG	Kerala	16	Mar 23rd, 2006 20:25
Book accom in advance or book as we go?	shaux	Lodging and Hotels in India	1	Jan 27th, 2006 12:04

Jan 28th, 2008, 23:28	#2
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,105	Thanks. Sounds interesting, putting it on my list. Agree that Guha's bio on Elwin was good. And he also has introduced "Lives in the Wilderness", where Elwin's autobiography is part of 3 (Salim Ali and Corbett being the other two)

Apr 30th, 2008, 04:51	#4
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,146	All the books from Verrier Elwin are very interesting. I've read "Leaves from the Jungle". Life in a Gond village. The diary of his life in a Gond Village in the Maikal Hills from 1932 to 1936. Unfortunately is not easy to find this books. Jorge

User Name		Remember Me?
Password