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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
Ethno-Nationalism
Caste

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 weeklyEpisodes612Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityHinduism

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Artwork for New Books in Indian Religions

Latest Episodes

The Supreme Refuge: Durgā's Transformation Into the Hindu Great Goddess (SUNY Press, 2025) provides the first comprehensive examination of the Hindu Great Goddess Durgā, one of the most significant deities in the Hindu pantheon, who is celebrated an... more

The Ocean of Yoga: A Complete Guide to Living the Teachings, Tradition, and Practice (Shambhala, 2026) is definitive guidebook to the core principles and practice of yoga—from its traditional roots to the latest contemporary developments. Immerse you... more

Textiles, embroidered with religious imagery, express lay piety in public and private shrines

This beautifully illustrated volume highlights Jain devotional textiles (choḍs) from the Ronald and Maxine Linde Collection at UCLA's Fowler Museum. Fashion... more

Decolonial Keywords: South Asian Thoughts and Attitudes (Columbia UP, 2025) presents a set of keywords and concepts embedded in the languages of South Asia and its vast cultural landscape. It reiterates specific attitudes, ways of seeing and methods ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dr. Neilesh Bose
A scholar at University of Victoria in British Columbia.
University of Victoria
Episode: Neilesh Bose, "Chips from a Calcutta Workshop: Comparative Religion in Nineteenth Century India" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
Marleen Thaler
A researcher at the University of Vienna and the University of Graz, specializing in the transformation of Kundalini
University of Vienna, University of Graz
Episode: Black Beryl: The Modern Remaking of Kundalini, with Marleen Thaler
P. C. Saidalavi
Assistant Professor of Sociology at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi, NCR and author of 'Seeking Allah's Hierarchy'
Shiv Nadar University
Episode: P. C. Saidalavi, "Seeking Allah's Hierarchy: Caste, Labor, and Islam in India" (U Pennsylvania Press, 2025)
Rishi Rajpopat
Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Human Literature Studies at the University of Macau
University of Macau
Episode: Rishi Rajpopat, "Panini's Perfect Rule: A Modern Solution to an Ancient Problem in Sanskrit Grammar" (Harvard UP, 2025)
Dr. Knut Jacobsen
Professor at the University of Bergen and author of Hinduism in the World, Migrations and Global Presence
University of Bergen
Episode: Knut A. Jacobsen, "Hinduism in the World: Migrations and Global Presence" (Routledge, 2025)
Imran Mulla
Journalist at Middle East Eye and author
Middle East Eye
Episode: Imran Mulla, "The Indian Caliphate, Exiled Ottomans and the Billionaire Prince" (Hurst, 2025)
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)

Host

Dr. Raj Balkaran
Host of New Books in Indian Religions, focusing on scholarly discussions about Indian religions and spirituality.

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 States5 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

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Some critiques note the presentation style, suggesting that a more engaging delivery could enhance listener experience.
Listeners appreciate the academic depth and intellectual rigor of the discussions, highlighting the quality of guests and the insights shared across episodes.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Neilesh Bose, "Chips from a Calcutta Workshop: Comparative Religion in Nineteenth Century India" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
Q: What is the backstory of the bag of chips?
Dr. Bose elaborates on the historical context of how religion was perceived in the 19th century and the importance of comparative religion for Indian reformers.
Feminism and Critical Hindu Studies with Shreena Gandhi, Harshita Kamath, Sailaja Krishnamurt, and Shana Sippy
Q: How do you all see the connection between Hindu studies and caste activism?
They emphasized that studying the politics of Hinduism inevitably intersects with caste dynamics, framing their work within the context of broader social justice and anti-caste movements.
Feminism and Critical Hindu Studies with Shreena Gandhi, Harshita Kamath, Sailaja Krishnamurt, and Shana Sippy
Q: Why is feminism an important orientation for Critical Hindu Studies?
Feminism provides an intersectional lens to interrogate positionalities and develop a collective caring network that facilitates both critique and support within academic spaces.
Feminism and Critical Hindu Studies with Shreena Gandhi, Harshita Kamath, Sailaja Krishnamurt, and Shana Sippy
Q: How did each member of the collective get into the study of Hinduism?
Each member shared personal experiences reflecting on family influences, academic journeys, and the political dimensions they encountered in their studies.
Elaine M. Fisher, "The Meeting of Rivers: Translating Religion in Early Modern India" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Q: What would you say is the primary takeaway or intervention of this book?
The book encourages a reevaluation of how Virishivism is perceived, challenging the notion of monolingualism and highlighting multilingual influences.

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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 content focuses on scholarly discussions regarding various aspects of Indian religions, particularly emphasizing Hindu thought and practices. Each episode typically features in-depth conversations between experts, offering insights into recent publications and contemporary issues surrounding the interpretation of religious texts, traditions, and cultural practices. Noteworthy themes include the intersection of religion with social issues, feminism within Hindu studies, and the influence of historical contexts on modern beliefs and practices. Unique to this channel is the academic rigor paired with a commitment to making complex ideas accessible to a broader audience, making it an ideal resource for listeners interested in in-depth explo... more

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New Books in Indian Religions launched 11 years ago and published 612 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. Neilesh Bose
2. Marleen Thaler
3. P. C. Saidalavi
4. Rishi Rajpopat
5. Dr. Knut Jacobsen
6. Imran Mulla
7. Dr. Gil Ben-Herut
8. Dr. J. Barton Scott

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