Novelist Chandrahas Choudhury to Headline Perkins Indian Literature and History Event

DALLAS (SMU) – Renowned Indian novelist Chandrahas Choudhury will come to the SMU campus on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019 for a half-day interdisciplinary conference focused on Indian literature and its role within our global community.

“Indian Literature in Conversation with the Contemporary World: Reflections on History, Religion, Theology, Writing, and Politics with Novelist Chandrahas Choudhury” will be held from 1:30 to 6 p.m. in the Prothro Great Hall, Perkins School of Theology (5901 Bishop Boulevard on the SMU campus). The event is co-sponsored Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, SMU Libraries, SMU’s Department of History and the Asian Studies Program.

Choudhury is a novelist and columnist based in New Delhi. His first novel Arzee the Dwarf was shortlisted for the Commonwealth First Book Prize and chosen by World Literature Today as one of “60 Essential English-Language Works of Modern Indian Literature.” Choudhury has published two subsequent works of fiction, Clouds and Days of My China Dragon in 2018 and 2019, respectively. He writes a weekly column on Indian politics, society and literature for Bloomberg View. Choudhury’s essays and book reviews have appeared in The National, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy and The New York Times, and he is the editor of the anthology of Indian fiction India: A Traveler’s Literary Companion, published by Whereabouts Press.

“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Choudhury to our campus for what promises to be an exceptionally engaging program,” said Anthony J. Elia, coordinator for the program and Director of Bridwell Library (Perkins School of Theology and SMU Libraries).

“He brings a unique perspective on Indian writing, society, and literature, and a remarkable skill and deftness of the written word that will be absolutely enriching for all who attend.”

Highlights of the program will include a lecture by Choudhury on “Indian Literature and its Role in Global History,” followed by a panel discussion moderated by SMU Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Dr. Steven Lindquist. Several SMU faculty members will participate in the panel, discussing such topics as Asian religions, Christian missionary history, Marathi cinema, African-American literature and religion and Indian Christianity in antiquity. The program will also include a reading from Mr. Choudhury’s novels and a conversation with the author.

The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register please click here.  Questions about the event should be directed to Michelle Ried, Assistant to the Director, Bridwell Library: 214-768-3483 or mried@smu.edu.

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Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU's Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.