Pradeep Jeganathan

Pradeep Jeganathan is a Sri Lankan academic, anthropologist, and writer. He is known for his work on South Asian studies with an emphasis on nationalism, ethnicity, and violence.

Life and career
Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Pradeep Jeganathan received his education from Royal College, Colombo. After earning a joint degree in electrical engineering, computer science, and creative writing from MIT, USA for his undergraduate studies, Jeganathan continued his education at Harvard, where he studied social anthropology for a while before earning a doctorate in anthropology from the University of Chicago.

The University of Minnesota at Minneapolis, and Shiv Nadar University, Delhi  were among the institutions where he had held professor positions.

Jagannathan also worked as a senior consultant social anthropologist at the Consortium for Humanitarian Agencies in Colombo.

Works
Pradeep Jaganathan's major works are on 'violence'. He drives a term 'the shadow of violence'. He sheds light on the day-to-day realities of living in times of extreme violence by examining the lived experiences of people in conflict zones. His anthropological research provides a complex knowledge of the ways in which violence affects identities, social institutions, and interpersonal relationships.

His ethnographical writings like 'Checkpoint: anthropology, identity, and the state', 'Authorizing history, ordering land: the conquest of Anuradhapura', 'A space for violence: Anthropology, politics and the location of a Sinhala practice of masculinity',  'On the Anticipation of Violence: Modernity and Identity in Southern Sri Lanka', ‘Violence’ as an Analytical Problem: Sri Lankanist Anthropology After July’83'  are among the credible work of anthropology.

Pradeep focuses his studies on nationalism and ethnic issues, particularly as they relate to Sri Lanka. Within the larger context of nationalist politics, he investigates the construction, contestation, and negotiation of ethnic identities. His research offers insights into how ethnic distinctions are upheld and challenged, particularly in post-colonial nations.

Jeganathan uses anthropology to examine conflict and violence. He sheds light on the day-to-day realities of living in times of extreme violence by examining the lived experiences of people in conflict zones. His anthropological research provides knowledge of the ways in which violence affects identities, social institutions, and interpersonal relationships.

Jeganathan has been writing for Economic and Political Weekly, Colombo Telegraph and Spectrum.

Editor

 * Subaltern Studies XI: Community, Gender and Violence; Orient Black Swan (2001) ISBN 9788178240336
 * At the Water's Edge; South Focus Press (2004) ISBN 0974883905

Book chapters

 * "Checkpoint: anthropology, identity, and the state" in Das, Veena & Poole, Deborah; Anthropology in the Margins of the State, 2004; School of American Research Press, James Currey, School for Advanced Research Press, ISBN 1930618409
 * "On the anticipation of violence: modernity and identity in Southern Sri Lanka" in Arce and Long; Anthropology, Development and Modernities: Exploring Discourse, Counter-Tendencies and Violence, 1999; Routledge (London), ISBN 0415204992

Other

 * Unmaking the Nation: The Politics of Identity and History in Modern Sri Lanka; The Journal of Asian Studies, Cambridge University Press