The religious world of premodern Bengal bears the hallmarks of successive eras of Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim rule, while also speaking to the ongoing merger of narratives, practices, and visual styles. Looking at the evidence of both elite religion and vernacular devotion, get an overview of myth, iconography, ritual practice, and architecture useful for appreciating religious life in Bengal at the dawn of the colonial era. After the lecture, visit the exhibition “Divine Color: Hindu Prints from Modern Bengal” for a fuller understanding and appreciation of how tradition came alive in new and striking ways with the colonial advent of print technology.

Brian Hatcher, Packard Professor of Theology, Department of Religion, Tufts University

Course Packages

Purchase a ticket package for the full four-session “Bengali Art and Culture: Living Traditions, Critical Junctures” course. Please note that this option is not available after the date of the first session.