Social science and social concern/ edited by S. B. Chakrabarti

The growing disciplines of social sciences in the so-called third world seems to be in a state of bewilderment due to lack of a proper direction. The subject of anthropology is equally sharing the agony of others in this respect. Notwithstanding this serious constraint, a very few scholars are trying hard on their own to liberate their respective disciplines from such a moribund state by challenging the many established theories and concepts regarding the existing social systems and the trend of social transformations of the third world countries. Professor B.K. Roy Burman, in whose honour this felicitation volume is planned, is one of those few who has been tirelessly engaged in this arduous task. Popularly known as the ‘living encyclopaedia’ among his colleagues and friends, Prof. Roy Burman has initiated innumerable studies in social/cultural anthropology in course of his long professional career. These studies demonstrate tremendous empirical awareness and methodological rigour. The volume starts with an overview of Roy Burman’s personal and professional commitments and then spreads into other areas relating to cultural and anthropological studies. The volume includes an important chapter, where Roy Burman responds at length to a set of twelve questions put by the editor of the volume, Dr. S.B. Chakrabarti, covering a vast canvas. This publication will certainly be considered as an important academic documentation in the field of social sciences in this country and abroad.