Present volume is the outcome of two days national seminar on SYNCRETISM IN INDIA: CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIMENSIONS held at Guwahati in 2015 in which large number of social scientists across the disciplinary frames presented their papers linking with the issues and ideas concerning 'syncretism', a concept which has often been perceived in variegated ways by scholars of different disciplines. A number of articles could be found in this volume by anthropologists relating to syncretism that interprets the term as borrowing of cultural traits among two or more groups; more specifically, between Hindus and Muslims, or Hindus and Christian, or even between tribals and nontribals, etc., based on empirical standpoints. However, one may like to ask, why this so happened in spite of the ever expanding knowledge base of the academic fraternity regarding this cultural phenomena. We can envisage that this volume brings in to focus multiple and contested realities of our time and also opens up space for further critical discourse revolved around the notion of 'syncretism' in a multicultural state like India.
GNANAPRAGASAM LAZAR, born on May 8, 1954 was a student of Prof. Dr. Stephen Fuchs an eminent Anthropologist of international fame. Lazar began studying anthropology from 1975 from the University of My sore and then in Pune. He has obtained his M.A., in Philosophy, in the University of Poona (1986), and he furthered his studies in World Religions at the University of Lancaster, England, where he obtained his degree of M.A., M.Phil., and then PhD (1994).Apart from his regular teaching, he has published four books and more than 32 scholarly articles in Anthropology, Sociology and World Religions. He is one of the fewest specialists in Islam and Shaiva Siddhanta philosophy. He is the Founder Director of SANSKRUTI – Institute of Dravidian Culture and Research, member of Anthropos International, Founder Associate Editor of Anthropos India. Currently he is also the President of Asia Pacific Missions Studies. Sarit Kumar Chaudhuri is a Professor of Anthropology who taught in Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh for two decades and also worked in Anthropological Survey of India, Shillong for five years. He was a PostDoctoral Fellow in SOAS, U.K. for two years; worked in collaborative projects with British Museum, and SOAS, U.K. for five years. He has published 65 papers and authored/edited 15 books largely focusing on tribal issues of North East India. Since 2014, he is working as the Director of IGRMS, Bhopal. Currently he is the member of 'Think Tank' constituted by the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and also member of various Academic bodies in various Universities of India. K. Jose has master's degree in Theology and Sociology; M.Phil., in Sociology and a doctorate degree in North East India Studies. He is the Founder Director of SANSKRITI NEICR, Guwahati; Member of Anthropos International, and Founder Managing Director of Anthropos India. He has the distinction of authoring and editing a number of books on North Eastern Culture and lifestyle. Jose is a scholar, social activist and a promoter of North Eastern Culture and Civilization.
