Industrialisation and socio-cultural change in the Tannery belt of the Palar valley (Tamil nadu).

Industrialisation as an important catalyst of change is the point of departure for the various disciplinary explorations presented here. The studies were conducted in the middle Palar Valley, situated in Vellore District in northern Tamil Nadu, a region specialised for over a century in leather production. Here, tanneries and footwear factories provide direct and indirect employment to thousands of men and women.

The main objective of the 'Palar Valley' research programme was to analyse the conditions that have favoured industrialisation in this essentially rural area and the local social and economic impacts of this development. The studies presented here focus on industrial and entrepreneurial dynamics, social and professional mobility, evolving ethnic and gender identities, and new modes of socialisation.