Chautari Book Series 15
Editor: Pratyoush Onta
First edition 2004
Page 210
Price: Hard cover Rs. 950, Paper back Rs. 300
ISBN 99933-812-2-5
Book Review
Dialogic Politics of Knowledge
Metro July 01, 2004, pg 11
Nation weekly, september 5, 2004
times 29 july-4 August 2005, pg 12
This book of interviews with nineteen scholars shows how research on Nepal is produced in the United Kingdom (UK), which has been the centre of much social science writing on the country. In addition to descriptions of research themes, this book is also concerned in institutional environments that make Nepal Studies possible. It also provides a good picture of the academic engagements of this representative group of researchers with various Nepali communities.
The interviews provide insights into the shifts and continuities in research interests and the perspectives brought to bear on the themes of research from many disciplines. The merit of the book lies in the melding of personal narrative, institutional contexts and histories of disciplines, which takes readers back and forth between the UK and Nepal. Ethical issues and the practical aspects of doing research in a developing country are also discussed. There are indications to why there seems to be emphasis on certain 'areas' and 'themes' within the broader rubric of Nepal Studies, while other issues lie in relative disregard. Nepal studies in the UK will be useful to all those interested in the contemporary history of Nepal Studies and more broadly in the political economy of knowledge generation.
Protyoush Onta is a historian associated with Martin Chautari and the Centre for Social Research and Development in Kathmandu. He has written on Nepali nationalism, Gurkha history, Institutions and media. The publications to his credit include ten edited or co-edited books, seven of which deal with the Nepali media and the remaining three with the women's dalit and jajati movements in Nepal. He is also an editor of the journal Studies in Nepali History and Society.
Inside the book
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
Interviews
1. Lionel Caplan
2. Alan Macfarlane
3. David Seddon
4. Nicholas J. Allen
5. Michael Hutt
6. Christian McDonaugh
7. Declan Quigley
8. John Whelpton
9. Catherine Panter-Brick
10. David Gellner
11. Andrew Russell
12. Ben Campbell
13. Judith Pettigrew
14. T. Louise Brown
15. Celayne Heaton Shrestha
16. Michael Wilmore
17. Ian Harper
18. Rhoderick Chalmers
19. Mark Turin
Martin Chautari (MC) began as an informal discussion group in Kathmandu in 1991, allowing development professionals and academics to meet every two weeks to share insights and experiences. Now nationally known for its discussions, Chautari also conducts research focused on governance and democracy, media, education and livelihoods with cross-cutting themes of gender and social inclusion. A rigorous mentoring program of young researchers is in-built into MC’s work. The discussions, research, mentoring, publications and the library form an intrinsic part of MC’s primary objective: strengthening the social contract between state and citizens and expanding and making inclusive the public sphere by promoting informed dialogues and analytically rigorous research.
Briefing Paper No. 8: The Debilitating Dynamics of Nepal's Constituent Assembly (2008-2012) (English ver./Nepali ver.)
SINHAS provides an interdisciplinary forum for original Nepal related research. Read more>>
Media Adhyayan is an annual Nepali language journal dedicated to media studies. Read more>>
Discourses of Awareness: Development, Social Movements and the Practices of Freedom in Nepal;
The Creation of Public Meaning during Nepal’s Democratic Transition’ is a collaborative research project between the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London and Martin Chautari (MC), Kathmandu. The project is jointly coordinated by Prof. Michael Hutt of SOAS and Dr Pratyoush Onta of MC and is being funded by the British Academy under its International Partnership Scheme for the period March 2010 to March 2013. Read more
Martin Chautari organizes discussions thrice a week.
The library is open to all from Sunday to Friday, 10:30 am to 5:00 pm except for a half-hour tea break between 2:00pm and 2:30pm when the circulation desk will be closed. Read more>>>