About the Book The present book aims at highlighting the Indian tradition of astrology as one of the major aspects of Indian civilization. Astrology as science or belief is subject of continuous debate but its relevance to the society in terms of its immense popularity is unquestionable. The aims and objectives of the study are to understand the constant mind of the people in spite of the changes brought about by the introduction of the modern technology and consequent effects in the livelyhood patterns of the people. Indian civilization represents a combination of both social, cultural ethos and partial integration of diverse elements. The book deals with active role of the astrologers and palmists in maintaining a kind of integration between different people irrespective of class, caste and community and the process of emerging of non-Brahmin castes in the field of astrology and palmistry.
About the Author Dr Sudhendu Chanda (b 1946) M.Sc Ph.D is now working in the Anthropological Survey of India, Calcutta. His association with astrology for the last 30 years earned Jyotish Shastri title by the Federation of Indian Astrologers and Jyotish Ratna by the Astrological Society of Indian Astro- Research. He is also Associate Fellow of the Indian Institute of Astrology. Dr Chanda also contributed many papers both in Anthropology, specially on Cultural Anthropology and in Astrology. His area of research also includes Tantra Shastra, Vastu Shastra, and Psychology. He is also member of many Astrological and Anthropological Societies.
Foreword Dr. Sudhendu Chanda is to be congratulated for this book entitled "Astrologers and Palmists in Contemporary Society for bringing this realm around which is built and continues to be built either blind faith or arrant scepticism into the arena of objective study and discourse. It is in this that the author has adhered to the teachings of anthropology - that of maintaining a dispassionate involved stance. He also meticulously compiled a historical development of the subject and for placing modern practioners in perspective.
Introduction India has a long history and tradition of astrology and palmistry. These as science or beliefs are subjects of continuous debate, but its relevance for the society in terms of its immense popularity is unquestionable.
Book's Contents and Sample Pages
