A passionate student of Literature, Meera Kumar Menon is a doctoral Scholar, Consciousness Studies Programme, School of Humanities, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru. (July 2018 – Present). She is pursuing her PhD under the guidance of Dr. Sangeetha Menon, Professor, NIAS. Her PhD topic is “The Secret of the Word and the Theatrics of Faith-Healing; Tracing the Language – Consciousness Nexus through Mantravada Narratives from Kerala”. Her research interests include Narratives of Self, Ambiguity in Language, Metaphors and Meanings, Novels and Poetry.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. (Ongoing) Thesis– “July ’18–Current Thesis Advisor: Dr. Sangeetha Menon, Professor, NIAS, IISc Campus.
• M.A in English Literature from the Department of English, University of Hyderabad. (2015-17)
• B.A Psychology, Sociology and Literature with Honours in English Studies from Christ University, Bengaluru. 2012-15)

The research focuses on the relationship between Language and Consciousness as seen apparent in the Mantravada Faith-Healing tradition from Kerala. Narratives of Mantravada including interviews from practitioners, fictional narratives and Mantravada rituals are analysed to understand the role of ambiguity, a function of language and its significance in healing. The Metaphors from the Mantravada Tradition are examined closely and they are analysed thematically using Phenomenological tropes.

1. Kumar, M., & Menon, S. (2016). Desire and self-representation: A philosophical reading of the Malayalam novelette “Agnisakshi.” Journal of Indian Council of Philosophical Research, 33(2), 303–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40961-016-0060-z
2. Sangeetha Menon, Meera Kumar & Rakesh Kumar 2019. “Beyond Body–Mind: Self-narratives and Consciousness”, Psychological Studies, Springer, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-019-00519-w
3. Sukanya, G., Meera, Kumar., & Sangeetha, Menon. (2021). “എഴുതാപ്പുറങ്ങളിലൂടെ- പരമ്പരാഗത ചികിത്സാരീതികളിലേക്കൊരു തിരനോട്ടം.” (A Sneak Peek into the Traditional Healing Practices). Vijnyanakairali, 53(9), 44-50.

1. Gave a talk titled “What do we live for? A sneak peek into our Narrative Self” as part of the “Quintessence of Being: Examining Existence and Experience” Course organized by NIAS CSP on 17.09.2020.
2. Gave a talk on “Narratives of Self” at the International E-Conference on Promotion of Mental Health, organized by the Dept. of Psychology, Veer Bahadur Sigh University, UP on 25.11.2020.

1. Knowing, Experiencing and Being: Methods, Applications and Philosophies inspired by Phenomenology, Collective Frameworks, and Reflective Capabilities organized by NIAS CSP.
2. Quintessence of Being: Examining Existence and Experience organized by NIAS CSP.
3. Philosophy Self and Consciousness: Exploring the Context of Experience organized by NIAS CSP.
4. Phenomenology and Social Research organized by NIAS CSP.
5. Research Writing and Communication organized by NIAS CSP.
6. Introduction to Western Classical Music organized by NIAS CSP.
7. Friday Lecture Series organized by NIAS CSP.
8. Kaavyaalaap Poetry Sessions organized by NIAS CSP.

1. M.A in English (Distinction) from the University of Hyderabad (2015-2018).
2. B.A (Hons.) In English Studies (First Class with Distinction) from Christ University, Bengaluru (2012-2015).
3. First rank in the All India Entrance for Masters in English, conducted by the University of Hyderabad (2015).
4. Outstanding performance award from zeal institute of Personal development, Bangalore (2012).