PDCS writes: The Hindu reports that Prof. C Parvathamma passed away on tuesday. A widely admired sociologist, prolific writer and respected teacher, Prof. Parvathamma was possibly the best Sociologist Mysore produced, with the exception of M N Srinivas.
Coming from an untouchable family, she studied at Machester with Max Gluckman and contributed immensly to our understanding of South Indian village society. In her pioneering ethnographic work and volumes on northern Karnataka villages, Prof. Parvathamma brought out with great sensitivity power relations in village society and the oppression of landowning communities. Her writings especially on Lingayats and their beliefs are very impressive.
Prof. Parvathamma was also part of a generation of scholars such as Prof. Thotappa and CDN who studied in premier instituions in England and America but then returned to Mysore in the 1960s. This was also the time when the new Manasagangothri campus was being developed, marking a new and expansive phase for the University. Their role as institution builders isn’t something to be ignored. Prof. Parvathamma played a critical role in building the Sociology department, in creating a tradition of research and also in publishing sociological works through Prasaranga.
Prof. Parvathamma’s passing away should be an occasion to remember with gratitude her contributions to the city and the University.
I deeply mourn the sad demise of Prof. C. Parvathamma who hailed from her native place Davangere.
“May her noble soul rest in eternal peace”.
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As rightly said, Prof. Parvathamma was perhaps the next best sociologist after Prof. M.N. Srinivas. Through her dedicated study and research, she produced some of the best reports on the depressed classes and other sections of the society, which, at one time, enabled the State Government to take some correct policy decisions for the upliftment of these classes. It is unfortunate that her contribution was not recognised either in Karnataka or outside, though she never aspired for any such honours, including the Vice-Chancellor’s post of the Mysore University. May her soul rest in peace.
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