Alexis Avdeeff

Dr. Alexis Avdeeff is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Poitiers, a permanent researcher at Criham (EA 4270), and a research associate at the French Institute of Pondicherry (UMIFRE 21 CNRS-MEAE). He specializes in the anthropology of religion, Hinduism, and divination practices in South India, with a focus on caste dynamics and therapeutic rituals.

His educational background includes

• Ancient History from University of Toulouse 2 - Jean Jaurès
• Political Science from University of Toulouse 1 - Capitole
• PhD in Anthropology from École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS)

Research interests center on ritual action and divinatory practices in Tamil Nadu, particularly the role of Vaḷḷuvar astrologers (a formerly 'untouchable' caste) in mediating fate and therapy. His work bridges historical analysis of caste structures with contemporary ethnographic studies of knowledge transmission and religious innovation.

Publications since 2004 include

• 2023: Conference paper on affliction management via rituals
• 2017: Three chapters in 'Divine Powers Tested by Comparison' analyzing Tamil deities
• 2016: Studies on astrology commercialization
• 2014: Doctoral thesis on Vaḷḷuvar astrology and several conference papers
• 2012-2010: Early works on caste identity and the Art of Living Foundation

He has organized academic events like the 2022 French-Indian conference on caste paradigms and contributes to editorial boards including the journal Tierce. His current CNRS delegation at the French Institute of Pondicherry focuses on therapeutic pilgrimages in Kumbakonam temples.