Ashwani Sharma
Ashwani Sharma's diverse academic and professional background spans physical & social sciences, and extensive teaching and fieldwork experience equip him to deliver a nuanced understanding of his field. Mr. Sharma conducted an Ethnographic study of the Bastar tribes, during 2017-18, focusing on the socio-political aspects of the Muria, Madia, Gond, and Halba tribes in relation to the forest, biodiversity, and the state. He also carried out an Ethnographic Study of Borderland Communities during 2022–2023. As the Convenor of the Nai-Dishayen program and the designer of the Nomadic Festival, Mr. Sharma has actively worked to preserve and promote the indigenous knowledge of nomadic communities since 2018. Mr. Sharma was involved in drafting the first Nomadic Policy for the State Government of Rajasthan (2022–2023), reflecting his deep understanding of the needs and challenges faced by nomadic communities. A prolific writer of popular articles, Mr. Sharma enjoys traveling, engaging with animals, living among tribal communities, and immersing himself in their lifestyle as part of his personal and professional interests.
Doctoral Research
Mobility and Wellness amongst the Kalbeliya of the Thar Desert
Ashwani Sharma is examining the interplay between mobility and wellness practices of the Kalbeliya, a "tribal" group in the Thar Desert of Western India. His research focuses on ‘’How do nomadic communities particularly Kalbeliya adjust their wellness practices and patterns of mobility in response to landscape changes, new regulatory frameworks, and the rise of biomedical hegemony?’’
Teaching Experience
Mr. Sharma has delivered public lectures across India on topics such as desert ecology, nomadism, and cultural diversity. He has taught classes in sociology, anthropology, and desert ecology at Delhi- and Jaipur-based IAS Training Institutes, preparing students for administrative and academic careers. He has also conducted interactive workshops and sessions at the Tribal Museum, Bhopal, SPIPA (Ahmedabad) and the Police Training Academy, Raipur, emphasizing the life, culture, and practices of marginalized communities.
Teaching "Wandering Worlds: Nomadic Cultures of the Thar Desert" Summer Semester 2025 | South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University
Select Publications
Monographs
- Kalbeliya Nomadic Community, Tribal Museum, Bhopal (Government of Madhya Pradesh), 2021.
- Rebari Pastoralist Community, Tribal Museum, Bhopal (Government of Madhya Pradesh), 2023.
- Dying Arts of Nomadic Communities of Rajasthan, Ministry of Art, and Culture (Government of Rajasthan), 2023.
Research Papers:
- "Search of Gandhi in the Nomadic Community." Ansi Journals, January 2019.
- “Gandhi ka Bharat or Ghumantu Samuday." Cultural Magazine and Daily Newspaper, February 2020.
- "Kalbeliya Traditions and Modernity." Chaumasa Magazine, February 2021. (Tribal Museum, Bhopal)
- "Bahurupiya's Art and Characters." Chaumasa Magazine, October 2021. (Tribal Museum, Bhopal)
- "Kalbeliya's Healing Practices." Chaumasa Magazine, September 2022. (Tribal Museum, Bhopal)