Bihani Sarkar

This discussion features Bihani Sarkar, a Senior Lecturer specializing in Hindu goddess Kali, Julius Lipner, a Professor Emeritus of Hinduism, and Jessica Frazier, a lecturer in Hindu studies. The guests explore the dual nature of Kali, emphasizing her fierce yet nurturing aspects. They delve into cultural interpretations, contrasting Western misapplications with her revered status in India. Poems celebrating Kali reveal her as a symbol of power and agency, while debates on her complex imagery highlight the rich traditions surrounding her worship.

Bihani Sarkar, a senior lecturer at Lancaster University specializing in comparative non-western thought, challenges the notion that classical Sanskrit literature lacks tragedy. She explores the emotional complexity of Kalidasa's works, revealing how themes of absence and grief reshape our understanding of Indian tragedy. Sarkar discusses the unique aspects of Sanskrit Kavya versus Greek tragedy and highlights the role of personal suffering and transformation. Her insights offer a fresh perspective on grief as a vital part of the human experience in literature.