Jeevan Vidya Trust

Content Description

This collection comprises the papers of Dr. Marie Dsouza, an ethnomedical practitioner, documenting her extensive work on indigenous knowledge systems among tribal communities in northern Maharashtra. The materials include field notes, projector slides with accompanying slide scripts, photographs and publication. These documents offer valuable insight into the medicinal practices, healing traditions, observations from her fieldwork. Dr. Dsouza was an active member of Lok Swasthya Parampara Samvardhan Samiti (LSPSS) since November 1985, a collective initiative aimed at documenting and preserving traditional indigenous knowledge related to health and healing systems acros

Condition Description

The projector slides have developed a pungent odor and show signs of liquid residue inside the plastic sleeves in which they were stored. All paper-based materials exhibit discoloration, rust stains from metal fasteners, and foxing spots due to age and storage conditions. Despite these issues, the collection is overall in good and stable condition, with most materials remaining accessible and legible for research and preservation purposes.

Accession Date

2025-07-11

Disposition

These papers hold significant importance in tracing the development and revival of indigenous health practices. Compiled through extensive field surveys and primary source engagement, the notes and slides offer firsthand documentation of traditional knowledge systems. Dr. Maria D'souza personally oversaw and practiced every stage from harvesting medicinal plants and herbs to preparing and determining dosages. As such, this collection serves as a valuable and authentic resource for understanding the depth, methodology, and application of tribal medicinal knowledge in India. This material will be included in new Marie Dsouza Papers Collections.

Acquisition Type

Loan

Provenance

Dr. Marie Dsouza joined the Jesuit community in Nandurbar with Jan Seva Mandal (JSM)an institution that served as the base for her fieldwork among tribal communities in northern Maharashtra. This region became her primary area of study, where she collaborated closely with Father Brian D’Silva to initiate a pioneering programme focused on documenting indigenous health practices, particularly those followed by tribal women. The material was loaned to MPSM Archives Department and was procured by Archives Coordinator (Bhavana Tole)

Retention Rule

The material is in a form of loan. The duration of the loan is 9 months.

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

Yes

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for access unless mentioned in specific folders of the finding aid.

Use Restrictions

Copyright may not have been assigned to Archives, National Centre for Biological Sciences. Permission for reproduction or distribution must be obtained in writing from the Archives at NCBS (archives@ncbs.res.in). The Archives at NCBS makes no representation that it is the copyright owner in all of its collections. The user must obtain all necessary rights and clearances before use of material and material may only be reproduced for academic and non-commercial use.