New Books in Islamic Studies Isabel Toral and Beatrice Gruendler, "An Unruly Classic: Kalīla and Dimna and Its Syriac, Arabic, and Early Persian Versions" (Brill, 2024)
Aug 3, 2025
Isabel Toral and Beatrice Gruendler dive into the rich history of 'Kalīla and Dimna,' exploring its evolution from Sanskrit to Arabic and beyond. Gruendler, a Professor of Arabic, and Toral, a cultural historian, discuss how the text has shaped Arabic literature and its adaptations across cultures. They highlight the role of digital tools in analyzing manuscript variations, emphasizing the concept of 'mouvance' and the creative agency of copyists. The conversation reveals the challenges of introducing these literary classics in academic discourse and the collaborative efforts to document and preserve this literary heritage.
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Beatrice's Kalila & Dimna Discovery
- Beatrice Gruendler first encountered Kalila and Dimna when looking for texts representing wisdom literature beyond popular works like Arabian Nights.
- She realized no proper edition or translation existed, motivating her to translate chapters herself and initiate serious study of the text.
Kalila & Dimna's Dual Nature
- Kalila and Dimna began as an Indian Sanskrit text and became a foundational Arabic prose work through Ibn al-Muqaffa's Middle Persian translation.
- It functions both as entertaining animal fables and a politically strategic, multi-layered narrative, influencing vast literary traditions.
Timeless and Multigenre Classic
- Kalila and Dimna's prose shaped Arabic literary style, influencing Persian, Castilian, Hebrew and more, adapting across eras and social contexts.
- It remains culturally vibrant today, appearing in children's literature and theater, showing its continuous textual life and impact.
