Amal Shahid - K. Sivaramakrishnan Reflection

Amal Shahid
University of Lausanne

Thank you for the information. Please find my written reflection below. Professor K. Sivaramakrishnan’s retirement marks an extraordinary chapter in South Asian/Agrarian studies, as it offers an occasion to reflect on the depth and reach of his influence as a scholar and mentor. His work has consistently combined intellectual rigor with a profound sensitivity to the social, ecological, and political histories of South Asia. What stands out most is not only the breadth of his scholarship, but the way he has helped shape the field as a space of inquiry that is more historically grounded, and more attuned to the lived experience of communities. For me, his scholarship opened up new ways of thinking about South Asia as well as the environment. For many of us, his work has been deeply inspiring and analytically demanding, which he has also inculcated in his students.

Equally important has been Shivi’s role as a mentor. His generosity with time, ideas, and encouragement has had a lasting impact. He created intellectual spaces in which curiosity is welcomed, careful thinking is valued, and anxious students are supported with patience and respect. That kind of mentorship is rare, but it is often what shapes careers most profoundly. Many of us have benefited from his willingness to listen closely, challenge constructively, and encourage independent thought. I fondly remember the deeply engaged seminar discussions, his punctuality and thorough engagement with each work, and his invaluable feedback that improved countless drafts of mine. 

In a profession that can sometimes feel fragmented, his example has been a reminder of the importance of generosity and dialogue. He has helped make academic life more humane, and that is a valuable legacy. From collective lunches, creating a shared community, and walks around the campus while advising patiently on repetitive, often petty concerns, his kindness was unmatched as a mentor and host during my time at Yale and even afterwards. 

As he retires, we celebrate not just a distinguished career, but also his influence on the many students he has guided, the colleagues he has supported, and the field he has helped shape. I am grateful for his guidance and wish him the very best.

-Amal Shahid (IHEID-Yale Exchange, 2020)