Indian Religions Podcast

Conversations

Discussions on broad-ranging topics, with particular attention to online education and digital resources, as well as scholarly seminars and conferences.
The World Sanskrit Conference

McComas Taylor discusses the upcoming 18th World Sanskrit Conference January 9-13, 2023. The conference is held online. All are welcome to register here.  Raj Balkaran is a scholar of Sanskrit narrative texts. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at his own virtual School of Indian Wisdom. For information see rajbalkaran.com.

Guest: McComas TaylorDate: 12/16/2022
The Past and Future of the Dharma Academy of North America

The mission of The Dharma Academy of North America (DANAM) "is to identify strategies for, and undertake, the recovery, reclamation and reconstitution of Dharma traditions for the contemporary global era, with initial focus on Hindu Dharma and subsequently on other Dharma traditions." Where did DANAM come from? What is its future? Listen into …

Guest: Rita D. ShermaDate: 12/13/2022
The Future of Religious Studies

Russell McCutcheon shares his views on the academic study of religion, and the path ahead for religion graduates and the field itself. McCutcheon is a professor of religious studies at the University of Alabama. You can find the four-part series "Humanities PhDs and the Academic Job Market" here.  Raj Balkaran is a scholar of Sanskrit narrative …

Guest: Russell McCutcheonDate: 11/28/2022
Online Sanskrit Study Resources

A conversation with Michael Fiden about University of Texas at Austin’s new open access online resource for second-year Sanskrit students, either for self-study or as a supplement to instruction. Raj Balkaran is a scholar of Sanskrit narrative texts. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at his own virtual School of Indian …

Guest: Michael FidenDate: 10/31/2022
SOAS’ Yoga Studies Online

Raj Balkaran speaks with Jacqui Hargreaves & Ruth Westoby about SOAS’ exciting new online learning platform: Yoga Studies Online. Raj Balkaran is a scholar of Sanskrit narrative texts. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and at his own virtual School of Indian Wisdom. For information see rajbalkaran.com.

Guest: Jacqui Hargreaves and Ruth WestobyDate: 10/12/2022
A Conversation with Sravana Borkataky-Varma

A candid conversation with Dr. Sravana Borkataky-Varma, historian, practitioner, educator, and social entrepreneur.  Women and Gender in Hindu TantraTantra: The Body and Release, an Esalen Signature Series Raj Balkaran is a scholar, online educator, and life coach. For information see rajbalkaran.com.

Guest: Sravana Borkataky-VarmaDate: 7/5/2022
South Asian Studies in Canada

Raj Balkaran speaks with Julie Vig (York University) and Andrea Pinkney (McGill University) about the Canadian South Asian Studies Association, a new development in association with the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Details about the Association’s inaugural annual conference can be found here. Raj Balkaran is a …

Guest: Julie Vig and Andrea FarranDate: 5/5/2022
The Importance of Pali

Core Buddhist teachings are preserved in the ancient Indian language Pali. Listen in as Aleix Ruiz-Falqués speaks about its structure, its significance, and opportunities to study it with him online. Raj Balkaran is a scholar, online educator, and life coach. For information see rajbalkaran.com.

Guest: Aleix Ruiz-FalquésDate: 5/4/2022
The Spalding Symposium on Indian Religions

What is the Spalding Symposium on Indian Religions all about? Who is it for? What is it’s past, present, and future? Find out as Raj Balkaran speaks with Symposium organizers Karen O'Brien-Kop (University of Roehampton), Brian Black (Lancaster University), Avni Chag (British Library) and Kush Depala (Heidelberg University). On YouTube.  Raj …

Hinduism and International Humanitarian Law

Raj Balkaran interviews Walter Dorn (Professor of Defence Studies, Royal Military College) and Andrew Bartles-Smith (Head of Global Affairs Department in Asia, International Committee of the Red Cross) about very timely and important research at the intersection of ancient Indian ethics and modern global discourse. The ICRC blog is here. People …

Guest: Walter Dorn and Andrew Bartles-SmithDate: 2/16/2022