Professeur d'histoire sociale et d'anthropologie culturelle, son œuvre se distingue par un engagement profond envers le folklore, l'histoire et les expressions culturelles. Sa poésie, saluée pour son urgence et sa forme, explore les thèmes de l'identité et de la transformation sociale. Il applique sa vaste expertise académique à l'analyse de la politique et des mouvements sociaux, en particulier dans le contexte du nord de l'Inde. Ses écrits se caractérisent par une approche interdisciplinaire, alliant création littéraire et recherche anthropologique.
Kanshiram's journey from rural Punjab to becoming a prominent Dalit leader is explored in this biography. It highlights his early influences, including his connection with Ambedkarites in Pune, and details his pivotal role in founding BAMCEF and the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984. The book emphasizes his significant contributions to the Dalit movement and his status as a revered icon alongside Ambedkar.
The book explores the transformation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) into a more technologically adept and socially inclusive organization, which has successfully engaged marginalized communities like Dalits and tribals. It highlights how the RSS's strategies of social work and appropriation of identity contribute to the political success of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India. Through extensive field research in Uttar Pradesh, the author reveals the complex dynamics of Hindutva and its impact on Indian democracy, challenging conventional perceptions of caste in electoral politics.
Exploring the impact of migration on popular culture, this book examines the identity-making processes of nearly 200 million Indians globally, spanning from colonial eras to the present. It delves into how cultural formations evolve in both homelands and destinations, highlighting the dynamic interplay between migration and cultural identity.