THE BODY IS POETRY: Virtual Gathering

CER Artists Dr. Preethi Ramaprasad and Nikhil Mandalaparthy invite you to THE BODY IS POETRY a weekend series of events for practitioners of South Asian art forms to explore questions related to poetry, politics, religion, and the body. The series' first event is a virtual gathering where participants will explore the diversity of South Asian devotional poetry and hear from artists who have engaged with this literature in different ways. 

This event will feature and opening presentation, followed by a panel discussion.

Opening Presentation: Bhakti Poetry and the Body by Nikhil Mandalaparthy (Curator, Voices of Bhakti)

Panel Discussion: Exploring South Asian Devotional Poetry, featuring -

• Zain Bandali (Poet, Author)

• Dr. Rajiv Mohabir (Poet, memoirist, translator)

• Shruthi Veena Vishwanath (Singer, composer, educator)

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS

Preethi Ramaprasad is a dancer, curator, musician, and researcher. Ramaprasad has a doctorate in Critical Dance Studies from UC Riverside. Her research focuses on representation and the performance of myth among transnational Bharatanatyam practitioners. Her journey teaching and performing Bharatanatyam has led to artistic community-building endeavors across India, Europe, and the United States. Ramaprasad’s choreography seeks to ask how Bharatanatyam can address contemporary politics especially through theatrical and expressive techniques of the form.  She co-runs the Varnam Salon, When Eyes Speak Choreography Festival, and Performing Voices of Bhakti, which aim to create safe spaces to share South Asian expression in the diaspora.  

Nikhil Mandalaparthy is a researcher, writer, and curator. He is currently a PhD student in the Department of Religion at Emory University. Nikhil curates Voices of Bhakti, a digital archive showcasing over 500 translations of South Asian poetry on religion, caste, and gender from 40 languages. As a 2024-25 Luce Scholar, he spent a year conducting research and working in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Previously, he worked with several nonprofits promoting human rights and social and environmental justice. As a journalist, Nikhil has reported from India, South Africa, and the United States, and his writing has been supported by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting. He has been quoted and interviewed by publications including BBC World Service, Al Jazeera, and the Huffington Post. He is a student of Carnatic music.