Hinduism in Performance
We will explore the intersection of performativity and Hindu religiosityguided by the analytic categories of Indian aesthetic theory. We will delve into the poetic visions of Kālidāsa; the communal nature of theatrical festivals; the expressions of movement in possession and dance; the social cohesion of popular devotional songs; the divinely inspired singing of Tantric mystics; and the modern critique of Hindu orthodoxy in the films of Ray, Mehta, and Sen. By developing an enriched experiential knowledge of South Asian performance as part of Hindu religious life, we will enhance our own aesthetic appreciation and expressivity.