Ashtavaidya Ayurveda is a unique medical tradition prevalent in Kerala. It is thought to be an amalgamation of text-based Ayurvedic practices and regional folk medical practices of the south Indian state. Scholars Annamma Spudich and Indudharan Menon had interviewed the last remaining practitioners of the tradition as part of the "Living History of Indian Scientific Traditions" archive initiated by NCBS.

Now, the Science and Society programme at NCBS presents "A Scientific Approach to Traditional Medicine" - a dramatic exploration of Ayurveda and Ashtavaidya medicine. The play will be presented by the students of NCBS and is directed by Jeff Teare, co-director, TheatreScience (UK). TheatreScience describes itself as a "rolling laboratory of new plays, workshops, performances, festivals, studies and exchanges. It works with scientists and artists in schools, communities and academic and cultural organisations."

The presentation will be followed by a discussion, open to the audience and participants. Panelists include Annamma Spudich (who has extensively researched the Ashtavaidya tradition and interviewed its last remaining practitioners in Kerala); Ravi Prasad (the Executive Chairman of the Himalaya Drug Company which specializes in Ayurvedic health care products) and G.G. Gangadharan (Director of the Foundation for the Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, an institute whose vision is "to enhance the quality of health care...based on India's traditional health sciences").

Tea will be served at the Hortus Malabaricus garden.

For further details, please see the poster or contact yadugirivt@ncbs.res.in.