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Artwork for New Books in Indian Religions

New Books in Indian Religions

Marshall Poe
Hinduism
Hindu Nationalism
Buddhism
Christianity
Tina Turner
Shakti
Philosophy Of Religion
Bharatanatyam
Bhagavad Gita
Vaiṣṇava Concepts Of God
Goddess Worship
Bengal
1948 Police Action
Cultural Identity
Devadasis
Panentheism
Black Baptist Christianity
Religious Syncretism
Women In Religion
Tantra

This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field. Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: ⁠newbooksnetwork.com⁠ Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes599Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HinduismReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for New Books in Indian Religions

Latest Episodes

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The Kannada language boasts an ongoing literary tradition spanning more than a millennium, with a rich array of social positions and roles, religious traditions, and poetic styles that developed over the dramatic history of the region. Yet translatio... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Gil Ben-Herut
Professor at the Department of Religious Studies at the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
Episode: Gil Ben-Herut, "Stories of Shiva's Saints: Selections from Harihara's Ragales" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Dr. J. Barton Scott
Associate Professor at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
Episode: J. Barton Scott, "Slandering the Sacred: Blasphemy Law and Religious Affect in Colonial India" (U Chicago Press, 2023)
Dr. Russell T. McCutcheon
University Research Professor and former Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
Episode: Russell T. McCutcheon, "Critics Not Caretakers: Redescribing the Public Study of Religion" (Routledge, 2023)
Dr. Christopher Key Chapple
Professor of Indicative Care Theology at Soil University
Soil University
Episode: Christopher Key Chapple, "Embodied Ecology: Yoga and the Environment" (Mandala Publishing, 2025)
Dr. Nayanjot Lahiri
Professor of History at Ashoka University
Ashoka University
Episode: Nayanjot Lahiri, "Searching for Ashoka: Questing for a Buddhist King from India to Thailand" (SUNY Press, 2023)
Dr. Ithamar Theodor
Author and scholar at Zephad's Academic College, specializing in the Bhagavad Gita.
Zephad's Academic College
Episode: Ithamar Theodor, "The Philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
Luke Gibson
Author of 'Reading Sanskrit: A Complete Step-By-Step Introduction with Texts from the Buddhist Tradition'
Columbia University Press
Episode: Luke Gibson, "Reading Sanskrit: A Complete Step-By-Step Introduction with Texts from the Buddhist Tradition" (Columbia UP, 2025)
Steven W. Ramey
Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
Episode: Steven W. Ramey, "Hinduism in Five Minutes" (Equinox, 2022)
Russell T. McCutcheon
Scholar and author of 'Our Primary Expertise'
University of Alabama
Episode: Russell T. McCutcheon, "Our Primary Expertise: A Future for the Study of Religion" (Rutgers UP, 2025)

Host

Raj Balkaran
Host of New Books in Indian Religions, engaging dialogues with experts in the field.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 46 ratings
  • My first review

    I was compelled to express my appreciation for this podcast. Ran Balkaran has such a soothing smart voice and open curiosity that each interview is a deep conversation, real dialogue, and fun exploration.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LatinaYogi
    United States4 years ago
  • Jennifer B. Saunders Is Ear Grating

    I only listened to one episode before I unsubscribed. Jennifer B. Saunders has the most broken speech I’ve ever heard for someone qualified and educated. She says um like every other word, come on. Speak better, your voice is so slow, and the “um”s need to stop.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Kata R
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are mixed feelings about the diversity of guest speakers and their articulation, with some praising the depth of conversation while others have expressed dissatisfaction with specific episodes.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and engaging discussions conducted with scholars, noting the host's gentle approach and academic rigor.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gil Ben-Herut, "Stories of Shiva's Saints: Selections from Harihara's Ragales" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Q: What was the translation process like for you?
Dr. Ben-Herut shares the complexity of making translation choices to capture both the narrative flow and the emotional expressivity of the original text while considering various audiences.
Gil Ben-Herut, "Stories of Shiva's Saints: Selections from Harihara's Ragales" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Q: Can you tell us about the backstory? How did you get pulled into this translation project?
Dr. Ben-Herut describes his long-term engagement with Kannada literature, starting with his interest in the tales surrounding the saint Kanta Ramayya and leading to the discovery of Harihara's work.
Christopher Key Chapple, "Embodied Ecology: Yoga and the Environment" (Mandala Publishing, 2025)
Q: What does yoga have to do with environmentalism?
Yoga is a means to reconnect with the environment, emphasizing balanced wisdom and the need for ecological stewardship.
Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Anya Foxen, "The Serpent’s Tale: Kundalini, Yoga, and the History of an Experience" (Columbia UP, 2025)
Q: What would you hope readers take away from this book?
I hope readers are equipped to contextualize their experiences and find meaning in diverse Kundalini narratives.
Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Anya Foxen, "The Serpent’s Tale: Kundalini, Yoga, and the History of an Experience" (Columbia UP, 2025)
Q: Would you say this is a book for practitioners, for scholars, for both?
This book is pitched as accessible to both practitioners and scholars, aiming to balance academic rigor with broader understanding.

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Frequently Asked Questions About New Books in Indian Religions

What is New Books in Indian Religions about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast focuses on discussions surrounding recent publications in the field of Indian religions, featuring scholars who engage in meaningful dialogues about their research. Episodes cover a wide range of topics, including historical and contemporary issues related to Buddhism, Hinduism, yoga, and the intersection of socio-political dynamics within these faiths. The conversations often bring to light the complexities of philosophical texts, ritual practices, and cultural histories, inviting both academic and general audiences to explore the rich tapestry of Indian religious traditions.

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Which podcasts are similar to New Books in Indian Religions?

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1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Conversations with Tyler
3. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
4. Close Readings
5. Philosophize This!

How many episodes of New Books in Indian Religions are there?

New Books in Indian Religions launched 11 years ago and published 599 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on New Books in Indian Religions?

Recent guests on New Books in Indian Religions include:

1. Dr. Gil Ben-Herut
2. Dr. J. Barton Scott
3. Dr. Russell T. McCutcheon
4. Dr. Christopher Key Chapple
5. Dr. Nayanjot Lahiri
6. Dr. Ithamar Theodor
7. Luke Gibson
8. Steven W. Ramey

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