ORF INVITATION : What Constitutes Hinduism?

ORF INVITATION : What Constitutes Hinduism?

The Observer Research Foundation Mumbai cordially invites you to:

What Constitutes Hinduism?

Debating the most important and vibrant, yet confused and polarised, theme in India

Date: 21 September 2019, Saturday | Time: 2:20 pm to 4:30 pm

Venue: Ji Xianlin Centre for India-China Studies, Ground Floor, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Contemporary Studies, University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus, Santacruz (East), Mumbai – 400098

About the event :

Since last couple of centuries, the polytheistic character of Hinduism is being attempted to be reimagined in a form of what constitutes a monolithic religion in the western world. In the process of adapting to the process of industrialisation and globalisation, the modern generation of urban and semi- urban Hindus have become more and more vague in their understanding of the real essence of the world’s oldest dharma and the histories, traditions and networks of its religiosities. In that sense, the very idea of ‘Hinduism’ and its core essence have, in recent times, come to be overshadowed by misplaced nationalistic and hegemonistic ideals.

Given this backdrop, ORF has organised a panel discussion of eminent scholars of Hinduism over Ashok Mishra’s newly published book ‘Hinduism: Ritual, Reason and Beyond’, a substantive and thought-provoking explanation of the idea of Hinduism to explain the dynamism and meanings of rituals and philosophical systems of Hinduism. We invite you to join us and seek answers to the complex questions and current disputes on this loosely understood ‘way of life’.

About the panellist :

Prof. Dr. Ganesh U. Thite: Former HOD, Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages, University of Pune, and Former Curator in chief, Manuscript Library, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune

Shri Ashok Mishra: A double post graduate in electronic engineering, Ashok Mishra was CEO of an Indo-Japanese manufacturing venture and Director of International Management Consultancy. He runs an export- oriented manufacturing business producing defence grade electronic components

Prof. Dr. Shrikant Bahulkar: Chairman, Executive Board, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute; Editor, Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute; Adjunct Professor, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Universityof Pune and the K. J. Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies, Mumbai; Former HOD, Balmukund Lohiya Department of Sanskrit Language, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth; Former Numata Visiting Professor for Buddhist Studies, Harvard University