T. T. Sreekumar

Dr. T. T. Sreekumar is an Indian writer, orator, social and literary critic, and political analyst. He is currently working in The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad as Professor at the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and also serves as the Director of Educational Multimedia Research Center (EMRC). He is a bilingual author of several books and articles in Malayalam and English, and pens a fortnightly column since 2014 in Madhyamam.

Education

Sreekumar did his M.Phil. in Applied Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi and his Ph.D. in STS (Science, Technology and Society) from The School of Humanities and Social sciences, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong (HKUST).

Career

Beginning his career as lecturer at Institute of Management in Government, Thiruvananthapuram in 1996, Sreekumar worked as doctoral instructor in HKUST and later joined National University of Singapore as faculty in 2004. He was the Professor and chair, Fellows program and Head, Digital Communications at MICA, Ahamedabad during 2013–2016. In 2017, he joined The School of Interdisciplinary Studies, English and Foreign Languages University as Professor.

Sreekumar's papers on Asian modernity,^[1] development, e-governance,^[2] mobile ecology and rural network societies focus on socio-political critique of information technology and New Media. His book ICTs and Development in India: Perspectives on the Rural Network Society provides a critical analysis of the neoliberal glorification of the notion of ICT4D (Information and communication technologies for development).^[jargon]

Writings

A writer and columnist in Malayalam, his books include Utharadhunikakkappuram (Beyond Postmodernism), Charitravum Adhunikathayum (History and Modernity), Civil samoohavum idathupakshavum (Civil Society and the Left), Nava Samoohikatha (New Sociality), Vayanayum Prathirodhavum (Reading and Resistance) Punarvayanakalile Karl Marx (Re-reading Karl Marx), Posthuman Vicharalokangal (Posthuman Thinking) and Navodhana Charithra darshanam (Historical Philosophy of Renaissance). The fortnightly column in Madhyamam daily, Naalaam Kannu that he pens, offers critical views on Kerala's sociopolitical contexts. His staunch and direct critique of contemporary politics and culture makes him one among Kerala's prominent intellectual voices. Interviews with him have appeared in major Malayalam periodicals like Mathrubhumi^[3]^[4] (2012 Annual issue pg6-18) Chandrika^[5] (December 2016) and various other periodicals.

He received the C.B.Kumar Endowment Award of Kerala Sahitya Academy in 2020 for the book Vayanayum Prathirodhavum.^[6]

List of Books

English

ICTs and Development in India: Perspectives on the Rural Network Society, London: Anthem Press, 2011
Urban Process in Kerala: 1900-1981. Thiruvananthapuram: Centre for Development Studies, 1993

Malayalam

Navothana Charithra Darshanam (The Historical Philosophy of Renaissance). Kozhikode: Mathrubhumi Books, 2024.
Rashtram, Charithram, Bhaumarashtreeyam: Samskarika Vishakalanangal (The Nation, History and Geopolitics: Cultural Analyses). Kozhikode: Pustaka Prasadhaka Sangham, 2024.
Naravamshashaasthra Kurippukalile Karl Marx (Karl Marx's Ethnological Notebooks). Kozhikode: Progress Books, 2023.
Eka civilcodinte Vimarshanadharakal, Editor, (Critical Approaches to Uniform Civil Code). Kozhikode: Pustaka Prasadhaka Sangham, 2023.
Swathathryasamarangalude Sookshmaraashtreeyam (The Micropolitics of Liberation Struggles). Kozhikode: Progress Books, 2022.
Posthuman Vicharalokangal: Shaasthram, Saundaryam, Mruthyu Rashtreeyam (Posthuman Thinking: Science, Aesthetics, Necropolitics). Kozhikode: Pustaka Prasadhaka Sangham, 2021.
Republicinte Sakshathkarangal (Realizing the Republic). Trissur: Flame Books, 2021.
Samskarathinte Samaramukhangal (Battlegrounds of Culture). Mavelikkara: Quivive Text, 2020.
Charithravum Samskaravum (History and Culture). Trivandrum: Bhasha Institute, 2019.
Punarvayanakalile Mraxism (Rereadings of Marxism). Kottayam: DC Books, 2019.
Palaayanangal: Adhiniveshangalum Bhookhandaanthara Raashtreeyavum (Diaspora: Domination and Intercontinental Politics) Pathanamthitta: Prasakthi Publications, 2019.
Vayanayum Prathirodhavum (Reading and Resistance). Kozhikkode: Olive Publications, 2017.
Navasamoohikatha: Sasthram, Charithram, Rashtreeyam (New Sociality: Science, History and Politics). Kozhikkode: Pratheeksha Books (2011)
Civil Samoohavum Idathupakshavum (Civil Society and the Left). Kozhikkode: Olive Publications, 2007.
Kadalarivukal, Editor, (Sea lores) Kottayam: DC Books, 2004.
Katha Ithuvare: Keralavikasana Samvadangal, Editor, (The Story Utill Now: The Kerala Development Debates). Kottayam: DC Books 2003.
Charithravum Adhunikathayum ( History and Modernity). Kottayam: DC Books 2001.
Utharadhunikathakkappuram (Beyond Post modernism). Kottayam: DC Books, 2000.
Krishi Geetha: Chollum Vayanayum.Editor, (Krishi Geetha: Text and Readings). Thrissur: Nattariv Padana Kendram, 1999.
Aanavanilayavum Vikasanarashtreeyavum, Editor, (Nuclear Reactors and Developmental Politics). Alappuzha: Samoohika Padana Kendram, 1991.

Sreekumar’s contributions to the sociopolitical critique of information technology in Asia, particularly his critical positions on the rural network society, are explored in his book ICTs and Development: Perspectives on the Rural Network Society (Anthem Books, 2011)^. He has been the Chief Editor (2013-2017) of Journal of Creative Communications, and the Associate Editor (2014-2019) of Media Asia (Taylor & Francis). Currently he is the editor of International Journal of Media Studies, published by EFL University.

References

^ Sreekumar, T T (2016). "Asian modernity and the post human future: Some reflections".
^ Sreekumar, T T (2007). "Decrypting E governance: Narratives, power play and participation in the Gyandoot Intranet". Electronic Journal for Information Systems in Developing Countries. 32 (4): 1–24. doi:10.1002/j.1681-4835.2007.tb00223.x.
^ Sreekumar, T T (20–26 April 2008). "Civil Samoohathile Sasthravum Rashtreeyavum ( Science and Politics in Civil Society: Interview by I Gopinath)". Mathrubhumi. 86 (7): 52–57.
^ Sreekumar, T T (2012). "Marxisathinte Prathisandhikal (The Crisis of Marxism: Interview by C R Rajagopalan)". Mathrubhumi Annual Special Issue. Annual Special Issue: 6–18.
^ Sreekumar, T T (24 December 2016). "Janadhipathyathinte Idam Churungunnu ( Shrinking Space of Democracy: Interview by V K Suresh)". Chandrika. 61 (11): 8–25.
^ "Kerala Sahitya Akademi awards announced, Sethu and Sreedharan honoured with fellowships". 17 August 2021.

[1] Sreekumar, T T (2016). "Asian modernity and the post human future: Some reflections".

[2] Sreekumar, T T (2007). "Decrypting E governance: Narratives, power play and participation in the Gyandoot Intranet". Electronic Journal for Information Systems in Developing Countries. 32 (4): 1–24. doi:10.1002/j.1681-4835.2007.tb00223.x.

[3] Sreekumar, T T (20–26 April 2008). "Civil Samoohathile Sasthravum Rashtreeyavum ( Science and Politics in Civil Society: Interview by I Gopinath)". Mathrubhumi. 86 (7): 52–57.

[4] Sreekumar, T T (2012). "Marxisathinte Prathisandhikal (The Crisis of Marxism: Interview by C R Rajagopalan)". Mathrubhumi Annual Special Issue. Annual Special Issue: 6–18.

[5] Sreekumar, T T (24 December 2016). "Janadhipathyathinte Idam Churungunnu ( Shrinking Space of Democracy: Interview by V K Suresh)". Chandrika. 61 (11): 8–25.

[6] "Kerala Sahitya Akademi awards announced, Sethu and Sreedharan honoured with fellowships". 17 August 2021.

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