Vaidyas with Wristwatches

How do everyday technologies change our understanding of our own bodies? The pulse is a diagnostic tool common to many medical traditions, including Ayurveda, an ancient medicine of South Asia. In this episode, Professor Projit Mukharji tells us how the pulse has been understood by Ayurvedic practitioners (vaidyas) over time. He explains how pulse-taking changed when mechanical clocks, specifically the pocket watch and wristwatch, became a widespread technology in colonial India. Finally, this episode features a story by physician Dr. Melanie Baskind, and an excerpt of an interview with Dr. Mary Jo Cravatta, a practitioner of Ayurveda.

Audio credits: Special thanks to the Yogahealer podcast, for letting us feature some of their episode on pulse diagnosis, and The Overseas Ensemble, a collaboration between composer Paed Conca and Sarigama, for use of their music