Understanding the Anthropological Method

Understanding the Anthropological Method Meenakshi Thapan I AM writing in response to Carol Upadhya' s review (EPW, ' 'Native' Voices and Ethnographic Noise', July 20,1996, pp 1932-34). Upadhya has undertaken a review of two books on women in India by anthropologists. I am not here to defend the books against the disdainful and condescending comments made by Upadhya. The authors of the books under review might perhaps decide to take up Upadhya on those issues. I would however like to comment on the method that Upadhya chooses to debunk in a most ill-informed and casual manner.