Kumar Suresh Singh (K. S. Singh), Director General of the Anthropological Survey of India, compiler of the massive survey, People of India, and the person credited with renewing interest in the life of Adivasi hero Birsa Munda, died recently. Unfortunately, one would hardly know. The only news story about it online (he doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page …) requires a subscription to access. However, there are some excerpts from the obituary quoted over at Amitava Kumar’s blog.
I’m just beginning to explore the Indian anthropological literature. I’ve ordered volume three of People of India for my school’s library, but haven’t yet read it. Still, I’m surprised at the relative lack of attention the passing of such an important anthropologist has received. If any of our readers can point out additional links it would be much appreciated.
UPDATE: Here is a link to K.S. Singh’s book on Birsa Munda.
I am quite interested reading the works of Kumar Suresh Singh, especially the story of Birsa Munda and the People of India series. Can some one let me know where I can find it. My email is…balaji@cogindia.com
THERE ARE QUITE A FEW TRIBUTES PUBLISHED IN HONOUR OF K S SINGH, FIVE PUBLISHED BY THE UNDERSIGNED. I WROTE A LONG TRIBUTE IN ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL WEEKLY, ONE SCHOLAR WROTE IN SEMINAR MAGAZINE TOO.
I WROTE IN NEWSLETTER OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA, SEE WEBSITE OF ASI.
DR N K DAS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR , ANTHROPOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA -KOLKATA-FEBRUARY 2009