Research Project on ‘Invisible Margins: A Study on Panniandi community in Thiruvannamalai and Dharmapuri Districts of Tamil Nadu

A novel academic study on the Tamil Nadu “Panniandi Community,” who have been excluded from mainstream social inclusion. “Panniandi” is the pig rearing community in Tamil Nadu. Their main occupation is the rearing of pigs. They have historically been discriminated based on their caste as well as occupation. Hence, the research tries to study their living condition and their vulnerabilities. To study the phenomenon, explorative research design and mixed method would be adopted which, will help in studying both socio-economic condition as well as living condition of the “Panniandi” community in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, to understand their Socio-Cultural patterns and exploring their vulnerabilities as intersectional approach at the very first research in Tamil Nadu. The study has been carried out in Tiruvannamalai and Dharmapuri districts based on their high density of population. By using an Interview schedule research tool totally 275 respondents have recorded for the study purpose in Thiruvannamalai and Dharmapuri districts. In addition, a documnentary is going to be release to understand the livelihood status of the “Panniandi” community in Tamil Nadu.

Dr.S.Ilavarasi

Research Associate of Centre for Social Justice and Equity of Madras School of Social Work has completed her master’s and M.Phil. degrees in women’s studies. She did her doctoral research on ‘Women and Water: Problems and Possibilities of Water Governance – AMicrostudy in Tamil Nadu’ and awarded her Ph.D. in 2019. She has two years of experience as a Research Associate at the State Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (SIRD & PR) of Government of Tamil Nadu in the period of 2018–2020, in which she has engaged with action research projects primarily focusing on gender and Sustainable Development Goals. She has been engaging in gender sensitization training programmes, menstrual hygiene management trainings, and sexual harassment against women. She had teaching experience as guest lecturer in women’s studies at Bharathidasan University and University of Madras for two years. She has published research papers and journals on gender and water governance. She has also produced documentaries on the themes of marginalised communities includes dalits, tribes, and women. She has participated and organised various national and international conferences.