Hinduism & Hindustani Music
A lecture and performance by Guy Beck- Professor, University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Guy Beck completed an M.A. in Musicology (1986) and Ph.D. in South Asian Religion (1989) from Syracuse University. He is the author of Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound (1993), and the editor of Sacred Sound: Experiencing Music in World Religions …
Reframing the Erotic: Literary Change in Hindi, 1900-1930
A talk by Valerie Ritter- Professor, University of Chicago. In this paper, Professor Ritter addresses the question of how poetry in Hindi (now the national language of India) had to change once the classical erotic mode of srngara was deemed “obscene”. Reviewing ways in which cultural authenticity claims impinged upon literary depictions of women, she …
To the Divine through Beauty
A lecture by Dr. Vidya Dehejia. Vidya Dehejia provides a preview from her forthcoming book, "The Body Adorned" that addressees the dominance of the human form in India's art, the sensuous nature of the imagery used to portray deities to be approached with veneration, the intimate portrayal of divine couples, and the manner in which …
Carnatic music concert
Carnatic music concert on the Jaltarangam by Mrs. Seetha Doraiswamy and Ms. Ganavya Doraiswamy, accompanied by Abishek Raaja on the mridangam. Seetha Doraiswamy (82) is the only female professional player of the jaltarangam instrument. She has given over a thousand concerts in India, the middle east and USA and has given recitals for many television …
Brahma in Thailand: Buddhists Worshipping a Hindu God?
A lecture by Nathan McGovern (University of California, Santa Barbara). In this presentation, Nathan McGovern will argue that our knowledge of Asian religions is still framed by colonial and Euro-centric ideas of "religion" that obscure our understanding of Hinduism and Buddhism in subtle yet profound ways. He will discuss the worship of Brahma in Thailand, …
River Goddesses, River Linking: From Sacred to Transferable Waters
A lecture by Dr. Kelly Alley- Alumni Professor of Anthropology & the Director of the Anthropology Program, Auburn University. Co-sponsored by CHiTra and the Water Institute.
Gandhi’s Weapons of Truth and Non-Violence: The Power of Sung-Prayers and Ritual
A lecture by Cynthia Snodgrass- Stirling University, Scotland.
An Evening of Hindustani Music
An Evening of Hindustani Music with Vaijayanthi Gopinath (vocal), Dr Tanmay Lele (tabla), and Venkatesh Srinivasan (harmonium). Lecture Demonstration: 4.00-4.30 pm Concert: 5-7 pm, HPNP Auditorium, University of Florida Vaijayanthi Gopinath (Jacksonville) is a student of Smt. Lakshmi Shankar, the renowned singer and exponent of the Patiala Gharana style of music. Mrs Gopinath has …
Spiritual Transformation and Lessons for Environmental Negotiations
A Lecture by Professor Aaron T. Wolf, Department of Geosciences, Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR) Aaron Wolf is a professor of geography in the Department of Geosciences at Oregon State University . He has an M.S. in water resources management (1988, emphasizing hydrogeology) and a Ph.D. in environmental policy analysis (1992, emphasizing dispute resolution) from …
Waterscapes: Seeking Nature and Justice Along Indian Rivers
A Lecture by Dr. Amita Baviskar. Indian rivers have been the locus of projects both spiritual and secular. Diverse practices, ranging from devotion to dam-building, have radically transformed how different social groups relate to rivers. This lecture will discuss the various cultural meanings that rivers embody in contemporary India, and how these meanings are contested …