Table Of ContentMAPPING THE HISTORY OF
AYURVEDA
This book looks at the institutionalisation and refashioning of Ayurveda as a robust,
literate classical tradition, separated from the assorted, vernacular traditions of heal-
ing practices. It focuses on the dominant perspectives and theories of indigenous
medicine and various compulsions which led to the codification and standardisation
of Ayurveda in modern India.
Critically engaging with authoritative scholarship, the book extrapolates from
some of these theories, raising significant questions on the study of alternative
knowledge practices. By using case studies of the southern Indian state of Kerala –
which is known globally for its Ayurveda – it provides an in-depth analysis of local
practices and histories. Drawing from interviews of practitioners, archival docu-
ments, vernacular texts and rare magazines on Ayurveda and indigenous medicine,
it presents a nuanced understanding of the relationships between diverse practices.
It highlights the interactions as well as the tensions within them, and the methods
adopted to preserve the uniqueness of practices even while sharing elements of
healing, herbs and medicine. It also discusses how regulations and standards set by
the state have estranged assorted healing practices, created uncertainties and led to
the formation of categories like Ayurveda and nattuvaidyam (indigenous medicine/
ayurvedas).
Lucid and topical, the book will be useful for researchers and people interested in
social medicine, history of medicine, Ayurveda, cultural studies, history, indigenous
studies, and social anthropology.
K P Girija is an independent scholar based out of Kerala, India. She has a doctor-
ate in cultural studies from the Centre for the Study of Culture and Society from
Manipal University, Karnataka, India. She acquired a fellowship from the Centre for
the Study of Developing Societies, New Delhi to pursue her PhD. She was a fellow
at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla (2017–19) and a grantee of the
Kerala Council for Historical Research, Thiruvananthapuram (2019–20). Girija is
interested in questions that explore the politics and history of knowledge formation,
the liminal space of interaction among heterogenous knowledge practices and their
philosophical and psychological foundations. Currently, she is working on a project
that analyses the intersection between knowledge, caste and the subject through the
life narratives of Ayurveda practitioners.
MAPPING THE HISTORY
OF AYURVEDA
Culture, Hegemony and the Rhetoric
of Diversity
K P Girija
First published 2022
by Routledge
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© 2022 K P Girija
The right of K P Girija to be identified as author of this work has been asserted
by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
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Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent
to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book
ISBN: 978-0-367-27223-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-27300-2 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-429-29596-6 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9780429295966
Typeset in Bembo
by SPi Technologies India Pvt Ltd (Straive)
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements vi
List of Abbreviations ix
Glossary x
Introduction: Dialogic epistemes: Documenting the
liminal space in indigenous medicine 1
1 The intersecting triad: Kalari, Vishavaidyam and Ayurveda 16
2 Conceptualising Ayurveda: Intersection of print and
indigenous medicine 42
3 Construction of a classical tradition: Refashioning Ayurveda 68
4 Foregrounding a functional body: The body in Nattuvaidyam 97
5 Reinvention of education: Consecrating knowledge
in twentieth-century Kerala 125
Conclusion: Vidya to Vidyabhyasam: Ways of knowing
to knowledge 158
Bibliography 165
Index 175
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book derives its energy and inspiration from the paths that I traversed over the
years and from the fond memories of many who happened to be there with me on
the journey. The primary research for this book was shaped when I had the fortune
to be supervised by Professor Tejaswini Niranjana at the Centre for the Study of
Culture and Society (CSCS), Bengaluru. Her comments and guidance lent order,
value and clarity to my scattered thoughts and ideas.
To Bindu K C, who always listened to me passionately and boosted my confi-
dence by reassuring me that my ideas were relevant, I owe my thanks. While envi-
sioning the work in 2009, the initial ideas could be brought into sharp focus with
the intricate and challenging comments from Rochelle Pinto. Had she not been
there to give assurance and consistent moral support during the early years of my
academic life, I would have left academics forever. I thank Rochelle for her faith in
my work.
I am extremely grateful to:
Milind Wakankar, Anup Dhar, S V Srinivas and Sitharamam Kakarala for their
insightful comments that urged me to work hard and aspire for more.
Ashish Rajadhyaksha, for all his valuable comments and suggestions, which I
took years to comprehend and to incorporate into my work, and then only to a
certain extent.
Vivek Dhareshwar, for introducing me to a new way of looking at my reference
materials by asking a different set of questions.
Lakshmi Arya, for her detailed comments on one of my chapters.
Prathama Banerjee, for giving me extensive inputs during the first two years of
my research.
Rakesh Pandey, Aditya Nigam, Ravi Vasudevan and Sarada Balagopalan of CSDS
for their inputs at various stages.
Leena Abraham, Madhulika Banerjee, Barbara Ramusack and Waltraud Ernst for
engaging with the work at different stages. To Leena, especially for being an affec-
tionate mentor whenever I needed.
Acknowledgements vii
Sasheej Hegde, Udaya Kumar, Sundar Sarukkai, Raju S., P. Sanal Mohan, Nizar
Ahamed, Rajan Gurukkal, Raghava Varier, M.V. Narayanan, K.N. Ganesh, Sujatha V.
and Yasser Arafath for engaging with the chapters at various stages.
My thanks go to many of my friends for being with me in the difficult stages of
writing, without whom I may not have completed the work, friends who believed
in me when I had stopped believing in myself during the unanticipated journey
through the world of research and writing:
Navaneetha Mokkil, not only for her suggestions at various stages of my work
but also for her hospitality.
Smriti, for her unexpected and invaluable inputs.
Meera Moorkoth, for being vigilant about keeping the mast intact, when the
ship of my research was on the verge of sinking.
Ambika, for her unconditional hospitality, for the wits, jokes and walks that made
life much more bearable in Bengaluru.
Teena, for the long-distance conversations which made the writing much lighter
and easier, and for the extensive editing.
Srija Kammath for the tedious editing work.
Rajesh K. P., for the long conversations that cleared my hazy thoughts.
Amruth M. and Dinesan Vadakkiniyil, for sharing various articles and reports, for
their enriching suggestions whenever I had writer’s block and for showing consis-
tent concern and trust in my work.
Carmel Christy, Shamshad Hussain, Ratheesh Kumar and Ratheesh
Radhakrishnan for taking pains and time to read some of my unfinished chapters,
and for listening to my rambling thoughts patiently.
Haseena, Habeeb and their little cherubs, Shada and Sheza, for being around
during all the turmoil of writing, for being non-judgemental of my dramatic mood
swings, for the food, unyielding care and support, laughter and endurance.
Gowri, for her relentless assurance and conviction.
Hameeda C.K., for her warmth, hospitality and confidence in my work.
Shobhana P.K., for helping me navigate through the rare collections of the State
Central Library.
My immense thanks to all the health practitioners I had interviewed. The pro-
longed conversations, the extensive details and the food and warmth they provided
me with were a humbling experience.
I am indebted to the following archives, libraries and the librarians who
were incredibly helpful in providing materials: Appan Thampuran Library and
Museum, Thrissur; Sahitya Academy, Thrissur; Sri Chithira Thirunal Public Library,
Thiruvananthapuram; Government Ayurveda College, Tripunithura; Government
Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram; Publication Department, Kottakkal
Aryavaidya Sala; Kerala University Library, Thiruvananthapuram; Kerala Council
for Historical Research, Thiruvananthapuram; Centre for Development Studies,
Thiruvananthapuram; Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi; National
Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad; United Theological College,
Bengaluru; CSCS library, Bengaluru; Folklore Department, Calicut University;
viii Acknowledgements
Desaposhini Library, Kozhikode; Directorate of Archives, Thiruvananthapuram;
Regional Archives, Kozhikode and Kochi, and Central Archives, Chennai.
I owe my thanks to:
Surendran, for being there in my life without making demands, and also for
undertaking the cumbersome process of editing at different stages of my work.
Santhakumari, my amma by custom, for her endurance and support that enabled
me to do the long years of research without feeling guilty for avoiding many of my
expected familial responsibilities.
I thank the Kerala Council for Historical Research for giving me a grant to
write this book. I am grateful to the anonymous reviewers of Routledge for their
extensive comments and suggestions. My sincere thanks to Shoma Choudhury and
Shloka Chauhan of Routledge for being empathetic editors. However, I am solely
responsible for all faults that remain.
My loving thanks to Sanjay, my son, for letting me pursue my search without
hindering me and having no complaints on losing his comforts, and to him I dedi-
cate this book.
Preliminary versions of some sections of Chapters 2 and 3 were published as
“Interface with Media and Institutions: the Reordering of Indigenous Medical
Practitioners in Twentieth-century Kerala” in History and Sociology of South Asia,
11(1), (2017), 1–18; “Refiguring of Ayurveda as Classical Tradition”, Pragmata Journal
of Human Sciences, 3(1). 2016, 43–62. Preliminary version of a section of Chapter 4
was published in Humanities Circle, 4(2), 2016, 89-108.
ABBREVIATIONS
AH Ashtanga Hridayam
AMAI Ayurvedic Medical Association of India
AS Ashtanga Samgraha/m
AVP Aryavaidya Pathshala
AVS Aryavaidya Sala
BAM Integ Integrated Degree Course in Ayurveda
CS Charaka Samhita
DAM Integ Integrated Diploma Course in Ayurveda
DAS Diploma in Ayurveda Shastra
DIM Diploma in Indigenous Medicine
DMS Diploma in Medicine and Surgery
HMC Higher Medical Certificate
IKS Indigenous Knowledge System
ISM Indian System of Medicine
KAP Kottakkal Aryavaidya Pathshala
KPAP Kanyaka Parameswari Ayurveda Pathshala
KSA Kerala State Archives
LMC Lower Medical Certificate
SNDP Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Sangham
SS Susruta Samhita
SSMC Santhigiri Siddha Medical College
TAP Travancore Ayurveda Pathshala
TSA Tamil Nadu State Archives
TSP Tripunithura Sanskrit Pathshala
VVC Vishavaidya Visarada Certificate
