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Thu, Oct 8, 2020 at 07:30am
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Thu, Oct 8, 2020 at 09:00am
In its recent history, South Asia has witnessed a deep polarization of society fueled by ideologies that seek to exclude “the other,” variously defined through the lens of caste, religion, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation, and race. Promoted through various media, these exclusionary discourses have overshadowed the region’s rich legacy of inclusion and humanism expressed through its vibrant literary and performative traditions, best exemplified by Amir Khusrau, South Asia’s legendary historian, poet, musician, and mystic.
This presentation, which features performances by musician and writer, Ali Sethi, and Dastango (story-teller), journalist, and writer, Himanshu Bajpai, with commentaries by Harvard Professor Ali Asani, aims to highlight this cosmopolitan ethic and shared cultural history by showcasing Khusrau’s work and legacy. Through the dastan-goi or qissa, traditional form of storytelling, and the qawwali, the iconic form of South Asian Sufi poetry, the presentation will offer an alternative lens through which we may engage with and appreciate difference.
Speakers:
- Ali Asani, Murray A. Albertson Professor of Middle Eastern Studies and Professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic Religion and Cultures, Committee on the Study of Religion and Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
- Ali Sethi, singer and writer
- Himanshu Bajpai, Dastango, writer, and journalist
Time: 7:30a EST / 5.00p IST / 4:30p PKT / 5:30p BST
Venue: Live on 24 hours of Harvard website
This online session is presented as part of “24 Hours of Harvard,” a special feature of Worldwide Week at Harvard 2020.
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Fri, Oct 25, 2019 at 09:00am
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Fri, Oct 25, 2019 at 06:00pm
The Pride & Progress film festival and symposium will screen movies and highlight human rights filmmakers and activists who are leading the cultural fight against laws that criminalize and discriminate against LGBTQ+ people in the former British colonies.
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Tue, Oct 15, 2019 at 06:00pm
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Tue, Oct 15, 2019 at 08:00pm
Our Fall 2019 Visiting Artist Fellows, Sagar Chhetri from Nepal and Sakshi Gupta from India, will exhibit their artwork to provide creative commentary on identity today in South Asia. During the reception, both Chhetri and Gupta will present their work and engage in a discussion with the audience. Snacks will be served at the October 15 opening reception!
Eclipse, Sagar Chhetri
At the Still Point of the Turning World, Sakshi Gupta
The exhibition will be available for viewing between October 15, 2019 and November 26, 2019 on the fourth floor of CGIS South. The opening reception will take place on October 15, 2019.
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Wed, Sep 4, 2019 at 04:30pm
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Wed, Sep 4, 2019 at 06:00pm
Celebrate the start of the school year with the Mittal Institute over chai and snacks! Learn from our team about the work that the Mittal Institute is doing in South Asia and the numerous funding opportunities available, interact with various Harvard South Asia student groups, and meet with other Harvard students who are interested in South Asia!
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Sun, May 5, 2019 at 07:00pm
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Sun, May 5, 2019 at 08:30pm
COST General public: $10
Students and Harvard ID holders: Free
Misaq-e-Ishq means The Covenant of Love and during this event Ali Asani ’77 (professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic Religion and Cultures at Harvard); Pakistani pop star and author Ali Sethi ’06; and vocalist, guitarist and Grammy Award-winning producer Noah Georgeson will bring alive through musical performance, the poetic consciousness of several legendary South Asian mystic poets.
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Tue, Apr 9, 2019 at 04:30pm
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Tue, Apr 9, 2019 at 06:00pm
A lecture and demonstration by Mallika Sarabhai, one of India’s leading choreographers and dancers for over three decades. In constant demand both as a soloist and with her own dance company, Darpana, she has created and performed classical and contemporary works around the world. A constant activist for societal education and women’s empowerment, Sarabhai has created numerous stage productions that have raised awareness about crucial issues, advocating change throughout India.
Moderator:
Homi Bhabha, Anne F. Rothenberg Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University
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Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 04:30pm
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Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 06:30pm
The show features two artists from Pakistan and India who reflect on the impact of The 1947 Partition of British India in their works. Mahboob Jokhio and Krupa Makhija explore the interplay between culture, language and identity through a deeply personal lens.
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Fri, May 3, 2019 at 05:00pm
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Fri, May 3, 2019 at 07:00pm
In this demonstration, Pakistani musical sensation Ali Sethi and Harvard Professor Ali Asani will take you into the lyrical world of ghazals. The ghazal originated in Arabia in the 7th century and developed into a significant literary genre in Persian, Urdu, and other South Asian languages. It may be understood as a poetic expression of loss and romantic love, often associated with traditions of spirituality in South Asia.
Experience the emotional journey of Sufi music through performance and demonstration as Sethi and Asani trace the history, evolution, and form of popular Urdu ghazals to date. All texts will be translated into English so everyone can be fully immersed in the art of the ghazal.
