Friends event: Framing Relationships in Hinduism: Kiterunning, Ferocious Dance and What Else?

Prof. Emeritus Werner Menski and Mrs. Nilima Devi MBE

In this combined presentation, we delve into the kite structure of dharma, and the constant need to balance competing expectations, connected to the individual, groups, the nation, and the cosmos as a whole. This talk will be richly illustrated with images and video from dance and literature showing how Hindu culture has framed and expressed the immensely rich theme of relationships. We will start with ancient foundations and contexts – clarifying the relationships between Vedic visions and later Hinduism – and then move on to classical, medieval, and finally, modern forms and concepts. We will see the surprisingly strong influence of the ancient upon the modern.