CSI Monday Majlis: Pranav Prakash
Unravelling a 17th Century Persian Translation of Śiva Purāṇa
Register please on this link: https://universityofexeter.zoom.us/meeting/register/s6Vjx5M6RZ-cYqGJGOdkZw
| An Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies seminar | |
|---|---|
| Date | 1 December 2025 |
| Time | 17:00 to 18:30 |
| Place | Online Only |
| Organizer | IAIS |
Event details
Abstract
Abstract:
Among the earliest dated manuscripts of Persian purāṇas, Ms Or 14341 stands out as an exceptionally valuable manuscript for fathoming the history of the Śaiva devotional community in the early 17th century.
A Portrait of Śiva and Parvati, along with Viṣṇu, Folio 127a, Ms Or 14341, British Library, London
In my presentation, I will explore how and why Ms Or 14341 came into being, who its target audiences and readerships were, and what kind of Śaiva community they aspired to build in the early 17th century. Through a critical appraisal of the codicological, scribal and textual attributes of Ms Or 14341, I argue that this manuscript embodies compelling evidence of the already prevalent use of Persian as a viable and legitimate mode of transmitting religious knowledge among Śaiva communities and their broader Hindu following. Furthermore, even though this manuscript—like any object of translation—could in principle participate in the cross-cultural and trans-regional exchange of ideas and materials, the makers of the manuscript were largely disinterested in stimulating inter-religious interaction among Śaiva and non-Śaiva communities.
Bio:
Pranav Prakash is an Associate Fellow at Christ Church and a Departmental Lecturer at the Faculty of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies, University of Oxford. Additionally, he is a Senior Fellow of the Andrew W. Mellon Society of Fellows in Critical Bibliography, Rare Book School, University of Virginia, and a Trustee of the American Printing History Association in New York. He specializes in the comparative study of religions, literary cultures and book arts in Persian and South Asian societies. His scholarship and artwork grapple with the cultural and social history of marginalized communities in India, Iran and Central Asia.
