Turzo Nicholas Mondal is an anthropologist and historian with a profound interest in ritual studies and performance. His research has extensively covered the Bengali fertility ritual, Gajan, and he is currently delving into the complex dynamics of human-animal interactions at religious sites across India and Bangladesh. Turzo’s work focuses on the rituals associated with sacred non-human animals, exploring their cultural, ecological, and historical implications. Before joining the doctoral program at Krea, he conducted research on early human migration in Bhimbetka, based on rhino representations in Urden Cave, and examined the ritualistic use of Kerala’s Megalithic rock-cut burial caves.

Work Experience

• Lecturer, BRAC University, Bangladesh
• Research Intern, Kerala Council for Historical Research, India

Conferences and Publications

• Publication:
  1. Mondal, T. N., & Chakraborty, S. (2020). Riddle of the Rhino: Tracing Early Human Migration in India Through the Cave Paintings of Bhimbetka. Reimagining South Asian Art, Culture and Archaeology, New Delhi.
• Awarded Grant:
  1. Received the Community Engaged Liberal Arts and Sciences (CELAS) Grant of $1500 from Open Society University Network (OSUN) in 2023 for developing community-based academic projects.

Personal Interests

Beyond the academic realm, Turzo finds creative expression through photography, capturing the world through his lens to explore different perspectives and document life’s fleeting moments. He is also a passionate cinephile, drawn to storytelling through visual media, and an enthusiastic table tennis player.

Education and Certifications

1. MA in History, Nalanda University, India
2. BSS in Anthropology, BRAC University, Bangladesh