The South Asian Studies Program (SASP) will continue its spring 2015 seminar series with a lecture by David Mason titled "Performative Suspension: The Limits of Liminality." The event is free and open to the public and will be held Monday, April 13, at 4:30 p.m. in 1117 University Capitol Centre. Chai and samosas will be served.

Ritual Studies has, perhaps, moved on from Victor Turner’s Social Drama discourse, but space remains for the articulation of what rituals do, and, more importantly, how they do it.  Modern philosophy and the study of theatrical performance offer some language and some tools that may prove useful to understanding ritual. In this lecture, Dr. Mason will employ some of these underutilized categories in order to better understand the religious drama at a well known temple complex – Radha Raman – in Vrindavan.

Professor David Mason has long been involved in the study of Indian religious drama, and has written extensively on audience reception and devotional theater in India. He is currently working on an introductory textbook on theater in India. 

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Fred Smith in advance at frederick-smith@uiowa.edu or 319-400-1295.