Kanika Pruthi

Kanika Pruthi

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Kanika Pruthi joins MANTRAMS as a predoctoral researcher, bringing extensive experience in art history, project management, and cultural research. She holds a Master’s degree in Art History from the National Museum Institute in New Delhi and a Graduate Diploma in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York. Her professional journey encompasses various roles in the art and culture sector, including project management, research, and archiving, with a specialization in South Asian art and cultural practices.

Kanika’s research for MANTRAMS focuses on the cult of Khandoba, a prominent religious tradition in Maharashtra. Her study investigates the rituals, objects, and practices associated with Khandoba, a deity revered by diverse communities across the region. She will closely investigate the use of amulets and talismans in the cult- with a special focus on their iconography, materiality and ritual usage. Her project aims to explore the continuity and change within the cult's practices, particularly in the context of globalization and evolving social identities. By employing interdisciplinary methodologies, Kanika will examine how mantras, oral traditions, and material culture shape the identity politics and social roles of the cult's devotees.

Through her research, Kanika seeks to uncover how the multifaceted nature of the Khandoba cult interacts with various cultural and religious landscapes. She will investigate the impact of rituals and festivals, such as Somvati Amavasya, Champa Shashti and jatras, on community dynamics and social cohesion. Kanika’s background in curatorial practice and her analytical skills will significantly contribute to understanding the interplay between visual culture and ritual practice in contemporary India.