Oxford Professor’s Book, Dedicated To Renowned Odia Anthropologist LK Mahapatra, Released

Bhubaneswar: A foundational text of Anthropology for students across the world by renowned British anthropologist Robert Parkin was released at the Syndicate Hall of Utkal University here on Sunday.

The book, titled ‘When Humans Study Humans: Classic Themes in Social and Cultural Anthropology’, has been dedicated to Professor L K Mahapatra, a renowned social anthropologist who taught at Utkal University for 25 years.

Prof. Mahapatra built the Department of Anthropology into a renowned Centre of Excellence, which drew eminent scholars from across the world including Prof. Parkin, who also researched in Odisha and taught at Utkal University. Parkin retired from Oxford University in 2017 after a 15-year career in its School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography.

The book, published by Lavanya Institute of Indian Studies in association with Sikshasandhan, begins with a tribute to his teacher, Prof. Mahapatra, by Prof. PK Nayak, an eminent Indian anthropologist and founder of Lavanya Institute.

Prof. Nayak, in his opening remarks, spoke about the respect Prof. Mahapatra enjoyed among legendary figures in world anthropology. He recalled how, in his academic journey, he would be treated with immense respect because he was a student of Prof. Mahapatra.

Prof. AB Ota, Director, SCSTRTI, promised to publish a book celebrating Prof. Mahapatra’s celebrations, with other friends. He also proposed that a Gold Medal be established in Prof. Mahapatra’s name at Utkal University and also set up a Professor Chair in his name.

The book release function was also graced by Prof. Savita Acharya, Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University and student of Prof. Mahapatra, Prof. KC Tripathy, seniormost retired professor from the department along with eminent anthropologists and students of Prof. Mahapatra such as Prof. KK Mishra, former VC of Utkal University of Culture, and Prof. Jatindra Kumar Nayak.