Sukanya G is working as a Research Associate with the Consciousness Studies Programme (CSP) at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru (July 2019– Present). She is enrolled as a PhD scholar at the University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology(TDU), Bangalore under the guidance of Prof. Sangeetha Menon. Her research topic is “Indigenous Healing Practices among the Adiyan and Mavilan Tribal Communities of Kerala: An Anthropological Study”. Her other research interests include Ethnomedicine, Tribal Studies, Ethnography of Indigenous Communities and Indigenous Knowledge. She has more than 5 years of field-oriented Research experience in Tribal Studies. She worked as a Junior Research Fellow (September 2016-July 2018) and Museum Research Assistant (July 2018-July 2019) at the Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (KIRTADS), Kozhikode.

Educational background

1. Ph.D. (Ongoing), The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, India.
2. Thesis topic – “Indigenous Healing Practices among the Adiyan and Mavilan Tribal Communities of Kerala: An Anthropological Study”. October 2020-
3. Current Research Supervisor – Prof. Sangeetha Menon Co-Supervisor – Dr. M. P. Damodaran
4. M. A. Anthropology, The University of Madras (2014-2016), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.
5. B. Sc. Botany from the Government College Chittur (2011-2014), Palakkad, Kerala, India.

The present study intends to observe and document the indigenous healing practices of the Adiyan and Mavilan Tribes of Kerala within the context of their unique cultures and conceptions of health and disease. As part of this, the study also intends to understand their culture and society in the present-day context. The concept of disease, aetiology, healing practice and health are integral parts of culture since the origin of humanity. There exists a close and inseparable relationship between the culture of indigenous communities and the healing practices. Tribal communities have their own cultural and social practices to treat various ailments and illnesses which are holistic in nature. Healing and Disease have some Socio-Cultural roots and Beliefs. The study will also attempt to create the ethnographic profile of these communities. The study will explore the nature of their social organization, management of the socio-political system, economic activities, cultural traits, life cycle rituals, beliefs, customs, the status of women, etc.,

1. Sukanya, G., Meera, Kumar., & Sangeetha, Menon. (2021). Parambaragatha chikilsareethikalilekkoru thiranottam (A sneak peek into the traditional healing practices). Vijnanakairali, 53(9), 44-50.
2. Sukanya, G. (2020). തനത് ഭക്ഷണസംസ്‌ക്കാരം വയനാട്ടിലെ ഗോത്രവർഗ്ഗക്കാർക്കിടയിൽ (Food Culture among the Tribes of Wayanad). In Saumya Baby (Ed), ആദിവാസി, ദളിത് – ജീവിതവും പ്രതിരോധവും (Tribe, Dalit-Life and Resistance) (pp. 128-134). Paideia books.
3. Sukanya, G. (2019). Gender Status and Livelihood in Patrilineal Communities: A Comparative Anthropological Study Amongst Vetta Kuruman. In K. S. Pradeep Kumar (Ed), Contemporary Socio-Cultural Scenario of Tribal Women in India- Challenges and Prospects (pp. 268-280). KIRTADS.
4. G, Sukanya. (2019). ഗോത്ര സമരങ്ങളിലെ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് സാന്നിധ്യങ്ങൾ (Britisher’s presence in tribal freedom fights). In Indu Menon (Ed.), കേരളത്തിലെ ഗോത്രവർഗ്ഗ സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യ സമര സേനാനികളും എഴുതപ്പെടാതെപോയ ചരിത്രങ്ങളും (Unwritten histories of Tribal freedom fighters of Kerala) (pp.111-116). KIRTADS.
5. G, Sukanya. (2018). തനത് ഭക്ഷണം കേരളത്തിലെ ഗോത്രവർഗ്ഗക്കാർക്കിടയിൽ (Ethnic Food Culture among the Tribes of Kerala). Indu Menon (Ed.), തനത് ഭക്ഷണവും ഗോത്ര ജീവനോപാധികളും (Ethnic Food and Tribal Livelihood Strategies) (pp.11-24). KIRTADS.
6. G, Sukanya. (2018). Irular. Indu Menon (Ed.), കേരളത്തിലെ ഗോത്രവർഗ്ഗക്കാർ (Tribes of Kerala) (pp.66-69). KIRTADS.
7. G, Sukanya. (2018). Mudugar. Indu Menon (Ed.), കേരളത്തിലെ ഗോത്രവർഗ്ഗക്കാർ (Tribes of Kerala) (pp.176-179). KIRTADS.
8. G, Sukanya. (2018). Kurumbar. Indu Menon (Ed.), കേരളത്തിലെ ഗോത്രവർഗ്ഗക്കാർ (Tribes of Kerala) (pp.122-125). KIRTADS.
9. G, Sukanya. (2018). Paliyar. Indu Menon (Ed.), കേരളത്തിലെ ഗോത്രവർഗ്ഗക്കാർ (Tribes of Kerala) (pp.180-185). KIRTADS.
10. G, Sukanya. (2018). Mannan. Indu Menon (Ed.), കേരളത്തിലെ ഗോത്രവർഗ്ഗക്കാർ (Tribes of Kerala) (pp.158-163). KIRTADS.
11. G, Sukanya. (2018). Uraly. Indu Menon (Ed.), കേരളത്തിലെ ഗോത്രവർഗ്ഗക്കാർ (Tribes of Kerala) (pp.200-204). KIRTADS.
12. G, Sukanya. (2018). Kattunaickan (Nilambur). Indu Menon (Ed.), കേരളത്തിലെ ഗോത്രവർഗ്ഗക്കാർ (Tribes of Kerala) (pp.90-92). KIRTADS.

Assistant Editor and Editorial Member :

1. Assistant Editor (Proof) of Kadal Thy Poomaram, an Anthology of Tribal Songs of Kerala, KIRTADS, 2017.
2. Editorial Member of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Tribal Freedom Museum and for the extension of KIRTADS Ethnological Museum, 2017.
3. Editorial Member of Ethnic Food and Tribal Livelihood Strategies, Museum Guide cum Theme book, KIRTADS, 2017.
4. Assistant Editor of Tribe of Kerala, An anthropological book about Tribes of Kerala, KIRTADS, 2018.
5. Editorial Member of Unwritten Histories of Tribal Freedom Fighters of Kerala, A book about Tribal Historical work, KIRTADS, 2017.

1. ‘‘Ethnographic note on Adiyan Tribe of Wayanad District of Kerala’’ at the “International Bilingual Webinar on Tribal Lifestyle: Literature-Culture-Anthropology-Linguistics (IBWTL-2)”, 2021 (28th Sep’ 2021, via zoom/ Google meet platform).
2. ‘‘Anthropology of Food; A sneak peek into the ethnic food culture of Tribes of Kerala’’ at the “Indian Anthropology Congress”, 2021 (22nd Feb’ 2021, via zoom/ Google meet platform).
3. ‘‘Interdisciplinary Approach to Tribal Healing: Understanding the Adiyan Tribes’’ at the two-day National Seminar on “Relevance of Anthropology & Interdisciplinary Research” (24th March 2021, via Google meet platform) organized by organised by the Department of Anthropology, University of Madras, Chennai.
4. “Ethnic Food Culture among the Tribes of Wayanad” at National Seminar on Adivasi, Dalit: Jeevithavum Prathirodhavum (St. Teresa’s College (Autonomous), Ernakulam. January 2020).
5. Presented a paper at The Reading Glass Thematic Discussion (NIAS-CSP) on the topic “Tribal notions and Experiences of Healing” (NIAS, Bangalore, September 2019).
6. “Importance and Possibility of Ethnic Food in Changing Food Tradition” on National Seminar on ‘Nanga Moda’ (Kudumbasree, Malappuram, 2019).
7. “Gender Status and Livelihoods in Patrilineal Communities: A Comparative Study Amongst the Vettakuruman” at the International Seminar on ‘The Contemporary Socio-Cultural Scenario of Tribal Women in India’ (KIRTADS, Kozhikode, 2018).
8. “Life and Myths of Kurichiyan Tribe in Wayanad” on Workshop on ‘Tribal Myth and Life’ (KIRTADS, Kozhikode, 2018).
9. “Food Culture of Wayanad Tribes” at the National Seminar on ‘Language Endangerment and Responsibility of Linguistics’ (Central University of Kasargod, 2017).

1. Coordinated various Museum Exhibitions, Ethnological Museum, Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (KIRTADS), Kozhikode, (2018-2019).
2. Coordinated ethnic food festivals, Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (KIRTADS), Kozhikode, (2018-2019).
3. Coordinated Museum Data Bank workshop, Ethnological Museum, Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (KIRTADS), Kozhikode, (2018).
4. Coordinated Tribal writers camp/ meetup, Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe (KIRTADS), Kozhikode, (2017-2018).

Took Classes in Self-enrichment Programme organized by The Centre for Research and Education for Social Transformation (CREST), Kozhikode, for High School and Higher Secondary students at various Model Residential Schools across Kerala (2016-2019).

1. Passed in State Eligibility Test (SET). Govt of Kerala. July 2016
2. Master of Arts, CGPA: 7.6/10, First Class with Distinction and Second rank holder (2016).
3. Bachelor of Science, CGPA: 8/10, Distinction (2014).
4. SSLC, School First (2009).