During the past year, the IU India Studies Program instituted a new series of monthly Faculty Seminars. The seminars provide a forum for faculty and graduate students to discuss their India-related research and writing in a relaxed and informal setting. Typically, the evening’s designated speaker makes a presentation of his or her topic, then the floor is thrown open to questions, comments, and suggestions. The seminars give presenters access to constructive, knowledgeable feedback, and the India Studies faculty have an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing work of their colleagues.

Professor Ganguly led off the seminars in November with a presentation entitled “Wars, Crises, and Nuclear Weapons in South Asia.” That was followed in December by Professor Rakesh H. Solomon of the Department of Theatre and Drama, who spoke on “’The Popular Theatre Has No History’— Orientalist Historiography Encounters Indian Theatre.”

The new year opened with a talk on “Nepal’s Current Political Difficulties,” led by Dr. Samrat Upadhyay of the IU English Department, and graduate student Ashok Regmi. In February, Professor Steven Raymer of the School of Journalism presented photographs from his current work documenting the Indian Diaspora. Dr. Henry Glassie, Department of Folklore and  Ethnomusicology, led a discussion at the March seminar on “Time in Hindu Sculpture,” reporting on his fieldwork among sculptors in Banaras, India and Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The final faculty seminar of the year was a presentation by Professor Arvind Verma, Department of Criminal Justice, entitled, “Free and Fair? Policing of Elections in India.”