Traditional South Indian Medicine Surrounding Tranquebar

Kenneth G. Zysk, Ph.D, Dr. Phil, Institute for Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, Department of Asian Studies, University of Copenhagen

The Project is Financed by Bikuben Foundation and i is Part of the Galathea3 expedition.

This project focuses on the history and development of Siddha medicine in Tamil Nadu and its relationship to Ayurveda

Before the coming of the Muslims in the tenth century A.D., two predominant forms of medicine existed in India: Ayurveda in the north, central, and parts of Kerala in the south, and Siddha principally in Tamilnadu. Both have long histories and are still practised in their respective regions of India. Much has been written about the history, development, and practice of Ayurveda in Sanskrit and Hindi. Comparatively less is known about Siddha because its literary history is meagre, and knowledge of Siddha has been passed down via oral tradition from teacher to student.

Ayurveda uses the unbalance of three basic bodily humours: wind, bile, and phlegm to diagnose disease. Balance is restored and maintained by means of a combination of herbs, minerals, life-style, and sometimes surgery. Siddha medicine, on the other hand, uses other forms of aetiology, including, among others, pulse-diagnosis, to diagnose illness. Cure is brought about primarily by a system of medical alchemy. Both systems rely on a fundamental understanding of the relationship between human-beings and their environment.

Tranquebar in Tamil Nadu is ideally situated for research into the South Indian traditions of Siddha medicine. Records already exist, which detail the encounters between Siddha medicine and Danish doctors attached to Tranquebar. Using this information as the point of departure, a comprehensive study of the history and practice of Siddha medicine and its influence on and by both western medicine and Ayurveda will be undertaken.

This project will work closely with other projects of the Tranquebar Initiative. In addition, the project will involve researchers and informants from India to assure the accuracy of the data and the high standard of the research.