From Emerson’s fascination with Hindu texts and Thoreau’s admiration of the Bhagavad Gita to the
enthusiastic welcome that Americans have given to Yoga, there have been far-reaching and enduring
connections between the United States and the Hindu traditions. Vasudha Narayanan’s talk will look at
three theaters: Southeast Asia at the turn of the first millennium CE, the United States during the 20th and
21st centuries, and briefly at the Caribbean. Focusing on temple architecture and performing arts,
Narayanan will discuss Angkor Wat and other key sites in Southeast Asia; how temples are put together in
the United States; and the significant ways in which North American Hindus “perform” their religious
traditions.
Dr. Narayanan is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Religion at the University of Florida.