RELI-3436 The Lives of the South Asian Epics

This course offers an examination of the religious traditions and communities of South Asia through the lens of the two great epics-the Mahabharata and the Ramaya?a-in their numerous textual, regional, sectarian, and performance tellings. From the poetic visions of Vyasa and Valmiki in Sanskrit to the songs of South Indian agricultural laborers, from the narrative renderings in Buddhist and Jain keys to modern performances in urban street theaters and television serials, this course will explore the many ways in which the epics have remained enduring sites for theological, ethical, and political reflection in South Asia. Prerequisites: RELI 1330 or consent of instructor