Lethal Spots, Vital Secrets - Medicine and Martial Arts in South India

Zusatztext This is an outstanding and original study of the intersection of traditional medicine and martial arts in South India. The ethnography is sensitive and insightful, immersing the reader in the daily lives of specialists of bodily training and therapies. Sieler frames this rich local detail in broad discussions of medical anthropology, tradition, secrecy, and martial arts. This is rigorous and cutting-edge scholarship. Informationen zum Autor Roman Sieler has a PhD in cultural anthropology from South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University (2011) as well as experience in development cooperation with regard to health issues in South Asia. His research interests include siddha medicine and the transmission and practice of non-institutionalized forms of health care in India, especially bonesetting and other forms of manual medicine. Currently, Sieler is Assistant Professor of anthropology at the South Asia Institute, where he coordinates the MA program "Health and Society in South Asia." He is also an affiliate postdoctoral researcher at the French Institute of Pondicherry, India. Klappentext This book provides an ethnographic study of varmakkalai, or 'the art of the vital spots,' a South Indian esoteric tradition that combines medical practice and martial arts. Zusammenfassung This book provides an ethnographic study of varmakkalai, or 'the art of the vital spots,' a South Indian esoteric tradition that combines medical practice and martial arts.

Product details

• Authors: Roman Sieler, Roman (Assistant Professor Sieler, Sieler Roman
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 02.07.2015
• EAN: 9780190243852
• ISBN: 978-0-19-024385-2
• No. of pages: 320
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Other religions; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > General; HEALTH & FITNESS / Herbal Medications, HEALTH & FITNESS / Alternative Therapies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, RELIGION / Hinduism / General, India, Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography, Hinduism, Social and cultural anthropology, Traditional medicine and herbal remedies, Traditional medicine & herbal remedies, Eclectic & Esoteric Religions & Belief Systems, Eclectic and esoteric religions and belief systems