Baidyanath Saraswati

He earned Master’s degree in Anthropology from Ranchi University in 1956, and Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from Ranchi University in 1967.

Saraswati was anthropologist at the Anthropological Survey of India (ASI) from 1959 to 1967. It brought him closer to the Gandhian anthropologist Nirmal Kumar Bose. He left the ASI after a decade to become a Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla.{{Cite journal |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |date=2023 |title=Walking with Professor Baidyanath Saraswati on the roads to Indian Civilization |url=https://www.ibpbooks.com/writings-on-indian-anthropology-and-anthropologists/p/58247 |journal=Writings on Indian Anthropology and Anthropologists |publisher=Concept Publishing Co., New Delhi. |issue= |pages=14–31 |doi= |isbn=978-93-5594-517-4 |issn=}} After N K Bose died in 1972, he founded the N K Bose Memorial Foundation (since closed) in Varanasi, a Gandhian institution conducting social sciences research. It also ran a school as an experiment in self-organizing primary education. {{Cite journal |last=Saraswati |first=B. N. |date=1996 |title=Swaraj in Education |url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000138782 |journal=Swaraj in Education, UNESCO Chair in the Field of Cultural Development, IGNCA, New Delhi |volume= |issue= |pages= |doi= |issn=}} Saraswati taught anthropological theories and tribal development as a Visiting Professor at Viswa Bharati and Ranchi University and as a Verrier Elwin Chair Professor at North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. He was Research Professor, and then UNESCO Professor at the IGNCA, New Delhi. He was also a Visiting Professor at Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sciciales Maison des Sciences de I Home, Paris in 1988, and at the Institute of Asian Cultural Studies (International Christian University), Tokyo in 1999.

2004: Honorary Fellowship of the Asiatic Society

2005: Life Time Achievement Award, Indian Social Science Association{{Cite web |title=indian social science association {{!}} issaagra |url=https://www.issaagra.com/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=indian social science association |language=en}}

Saraswati, in his book Pottery Making Cultures and Indian Civilization, found that though traditional technology and social practices among the potters of India were confined to five zones, the technology practiced in all the zones had a common origin from the days of the Indus Valley civilization. He explored Brahamanic ritual traditions, and the social organizations of ascetics and pandits of Kashi. He used the metaphor of Nilakantha (the blue neck of Shiva, the deity of the sacred city) to explain how unity and continuity in the cultural traditions of Kashi are maintained and deal with the challenges of modernization.{{Cite journal |last=Saraswati |first=B. N. |date=1996 |title=Kashi: Myth and Reality of a Classical Cultural Tradition |journal=IIAS Shimla |volume= |issue= |pages= |doi= |issn= |s2cid=169913009}} Saraswati offered a new classification of culture in terms of the modes of transmission of knowledge: Oral (laukika), Textual (sastriya), and Transcendental (naivrittika).{{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=B. N. |title=Contributions to the Understanding of Indian Civilization |publisher=Karnataka University, Dharwar |year=1970}}{{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=B. N. |title=Manavshastriya Vicharak |date=2003 |publisher=Rawat Publications, Jaipur |isbn=81-7033-768-2}} The tribes in India are people of oral tradition, and according to Saraswati, there is nothing in the Indian thought structure nor the traditional organization of Indian society that may correspond to the Western evolutionary notion of the tribe.{{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=B. N. |title=Tribal Thought and Culture – Essays in honor of Shri Surajit Chandra Sinha |date=1991 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi |isbn=978-8170223405}} He wrote extensively on cosmogenic myths of creation in the northeast tribes of India.{{Citation |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |title=The implicit philosophy and worldview of Indian tribes |date=1993 |work=Asian philosophy |pages=121–136 |editor-last=Fløistad |editor-first=Guttorm |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2510-9_6 |access-date=2024-01-21 |series=Contemporary philosophy |place=Dordrecht |publisher=Springer Netherlands |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-94-011-2510-9_6 |isbn=978-94-011-2510-9}}Saraswati, B.N. (1997) The sacred science of nature. Ninth Verrier Elwin Memorial Lectures. North Eastern Hill University, Shillong.

Saraswati characterized Sanatan (eternal) Hinduism by five-fold features. It is a religion without an organization and absorbs multiple beliefs and practices without destroying individual identity.{{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=B. N. |title=The Eternal Hinduism |date=2004 |publisher=D. K. Printworld |isbn=8124602492}}{{Cite web |last=Saraswati |first=B. N. |date=1994 |title=Art The Integral Vision - DK Printworld (P) Ltd. |url=https://dkprintworld.com/product/art-the-integral-vision/ |access-date= |language=en-GB}} He has also "highlighted the points of congruence between religion and science and finds evidence for a paradigm shift in anthropology and cosmology. It challenges the old concepts of social anthropology but strengthens philosophical anthropology by presenting a compelling picture of man in the Universe"{{Cite book |last=González Torres |first=Y |date=1999 |title=Cosmology of the Sacred World |publisher=Decent Books |url=https://dkprintworld.com/product/cosmology-of-the-sacred-world/ |access-date= |language=en-GB |isbn=9788186921050}}

Saraswati traveled across India to explore native categories of thoughts in text and context. His works crystallized the idea of the Sacred Science of Man{{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=B. N. |title=Sacred Science of Man |date=1993 |publisher=Institute of Social Research and Applied Anthropology, Calcutta. }} based on the Indian vision, the scriptural sources, and the indigenous interpretations of man and culture. It emerged as an alternative paradigm in anthropology.{{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |title=The nature of man and culture: alternative paradigms in anthropology |date=2001 |publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Aryan Books International |isbn=978-81-7305-196-8 |location=New Delhi}} He has explored fundamental concepts in Space,{{Cite book |last=Vatsyayan |first=Kapila |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X1a7XZdH1V0C |title=Concepts of Space, Ancient and Modern |date=1991 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-252-9 |language=en}} Time,{{Cite book |last=Vatsyayan |first=Kapila |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ka_WAAAAMAAJ&q=Concept+of+Time:+Ancient+and+Modern. |title=Concepts of Time, Ancient and Modern |date=1996 |publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts |isbn=978-81-207-1644-5 |language=en}} Nature,{{Cite book |last=Vatsyayan |first=Kapila |title=Pakrti, the Integral Vision |date=1995-04-01 |publisher=D.K. Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0036-8 |location=New Delhi |language=English}} Sound,{{Cite book |last=Malik |first=S. C. |title=Dhvani: Nature and Culture of Sound |date=2000-01-01 |publisher=D.K. Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0111-2 |location=New Delhi |language=English}} and Mind,{{Cite book |last=Malik |first=S. C. |title=Mind, Man and Mask |date=2001-04-01 |publisher=Aryan Books International |isbn=978-81-7305-192-0 |edition=2001st |location=New Delhi |language=English}} integrating them with anthropology and sociology. His boo Culture and Cosmos{{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |title=Cultures and Cosmos: The Cosmic Anthropological Principle |date=2004-11-15 |publisher=Aryan Books International |isbn=978-81-7305-258-3 |edition=2004th |language=English}} investigates the many facets of the core principles of cosmic anthropology.

• {{Cite book |last1=Saraswati |first1=Baidyanath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y-TWAAAAMAAJ |title=Pottery Techniques in Peasant India |last2=Behura |first2=Nab Kishore |date=1966 |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India |language=en}}. (Co-author N K Behura). Anthropological Survey of India, Calcutta.
• {{Cite book |last1=Saraswati |first1=Baidyanath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ndpxxwEACAAJ |title=Contributions to the Understanding of Indian Civilization |last2=University |first2=Karnatak |date=1970 |publisher=Karnatak University |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uIQKAQAAIAAJ |title=Kashi: Myth and Reality of a Classical Cultural Tradition |date=1975 |publisher=Indian Institute of Advanced Study |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |url=https://www.amazon.com/Brahmanic-traditions-crucible-Studies-civilizations/dp/B0006D2LKI |title=Brahmanic ritual traditions in the crucible of time |date=1977-01-01 |publisher=Indian Institute of Advanced Study |edition=First |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Sinha |first1=Surajit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8nHXAAAAMAAJ |title=Ascetics of Kashi: An Anthropological Exploration |last2=Saraswati |first2=Baidyanath |date=1978 |publisher=N.K. Bose Memorial Foundation |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqrB_Nzr5QcC |title=Pottery-making Cultures and Indian Civilization |date=1978 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-091-4 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Vidyarthi |first1=Lalita Prasad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a45jjwEACAAJ |title=The Sacred Complex of Kashi: A Microcosm of Indian Civilization |last2=Jha |first2=Makhan |last3=Saraswati |first3=Baidyanath |date=1979 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u3iYuwEACAAJ |title=Traditions of Tirthas in India: The Anthropology of Hindu Pilgrimage |date=1983 |publisher=NK Bose Memorial Foundation |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-IcAAAAMAAJ |title=The Spectrum of the Sacred: Essays on the Religious Traditions of India |date=1984 |publisher=Concept |isbn=978-0-391-03177-7 |language=en}}
• Sacred Science of Man. Institute of Social Research and Applied Anthropology, Calcutta (1993).
• The Sacred Science of Nature. NEHU, Shillong(1997).
• {{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |title=The Eternal Hinduism |date=2004-02-02 |publisher=DK Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0249-2 |location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |title=Cultures and Cosmos: The Cosmic Anthropological Principle |date=2004-11-15 |publisher=Aryan Books International |isbn=978-81-7305-258-3 |language=English}}

• {{Cite book |title=Tribal thought and culture: Essays in honour of Surajit Chandra Sinha |publisher=Concept Pub. House |isbn=978-81-7022-340-5 |edition=First |location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• {{Cite web |date=2022-12-29 |title=Art The Integral Vision - DK Printworld (P) Ltd. |url=https://dkprintworld.com/product/art-the-integral-vision/|language=en-GB}}
• {{Cite book |title=Pakrti, the Integral Vision |publisher=D.K. Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0036-8 |location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• Cross-Cultural Lifestyle Studies. IGNCA and New Age International, New Delhi{{Cite web |title=Workshop on Cross-cultural Lifestyle Studies with Multi-media Computerizable Documentation, New Delhi, 1989 |url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000110963 |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=unesdoc.unesco.org}}
• {{Cite book |title=Interface of Cultural Identity and Development |publisher=D.K. Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0054-2 |edition=First |location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |title=Integration of Endogenous Cultural Dimension into Development |publisher=D.K. Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0089-4 |edition=1st |location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |title=Cultural Dimension of Education |publisher=D.K. Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0101-3 |edition=1st |location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |title=Cultural Dimension of Ecology |publisher=D.K. Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0102-0 |edition=1st|location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |title=Life-Style and Ecology |publisher=D.K. Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0103-7 |edition=1st |location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |title=Culture of Peace: Experience and Experiment |publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts |isbn=978-81-246-0124-2 |location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |title=The Nature of Man and Culture: Alternative Paradigms in Anthropology |isbn=978-81-7305-196-8 |location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://www.amazon.ca/Pilgrimage-Sacred-Landscapes-Self-Organized-Complexity/dp/B0072JYSTG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1J832N7G0DE10&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jJlwzQ1wq9l4oBZvaFfDKA.vqS_WmcY_FSGIlPZS-27-dq4OOHCzeLhOdJs308T-Mw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Pilgrimage+%E2%80%93+Sacred+Landscapes+and+Self-Organized+Complexity&qid=1709521162&s=books&sprefix=pilgrimage+sacred+landscapes+and+self-organized+complexity,stripbooks,130&sr=1-1 |title=Pilgrimage — Sacred Landscapes and Self-Organized Complexity |isbn=978-81-246-0454-0 |location=New Delhi |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |title=Voice of God: Traditional Thought and Modern Science |isbn=978-81-246-0472-4 |location=New Delhi |language=English}}

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Category:1932 births

Category:2013 deaths

Category:Indian anthropologists

Category:People from Bihar

Category:Ranchi University alumni