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History of CSRI
Welcome!
Dear Colleagues:
I am pleased to announce the rebirth of The Conference on
Religion in South India (CRSI)—fondly cherished by many South Asian
scholars—now renamed “The Conference on the Study of Religions of
India” (CSRI).
The Conference on Religion in South India (CRSI) was founded in
1971 by Harry Buck to support the academic study of religious
traditions in South India. Between 1971 and 2001 the CRSI sponsored
annual workshops in a leisurely, informal setting where scholars
presented their “work in progress.” CRSI has always been an
independent organization and financially self-supporting. For nearly
fifteen years, Emory University provided administrative support to
publicize the workshops.
Paul B. Courtright served as chairman of the conference
from 1985 to 2001. After shepherding the conference for sixteen
years, he decided to step down. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to
Paul for his devoted service to the scholarly community and his
commitment to fostering a collegial spirit among South Asian
scholars who have expressed real nostalgia for the conference. We
also owe a debt of gratitude to Emory University for providing
administrative and financial support for the conference during the
past sixteen years.
CRSI reemerges this year with new leadership, a new institutional
base, and a new name. In July 2004, I succeeded Paul as chairman of
CRSI. After assuming the role of chairman, I formed an informal
advisory council, involving Corinne Dempsey of the University
of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, William Harman of the University
of Chattanooga-Tennessee, and Tracy Pintchman of Loyola
University Chicago, that will serve as a “think tank.” I am excited
about the future role and contributions of CSRI to the study of
religions of India and look forward to working with you. I invite
you to take active part in the annual meetings and would be
grateful, as always, for your input and insights. With the transfer
of leadership, the institutional base of the conference also shifts
from Emory University to Albion College. As host institution, Albion
College will provide administrative, financial, and technical
support for the conference; it will host its Website and a possible
listserv in the future.
Although CRSI was originally associated with South India, it has
come to represent the best traditions of inclusivity, extending
professional hospitality to scholars specializing in religion
throughout South Asia. It seems only appropriate to me and to the
members of the advisory council to formalize this inclusive spirit
and rename it “The Conference on the Study of Religions of India” (CSRI).
Even though the conference assumes a new name and identity, the CSRI
will retain its collegiality, leisurely atmosphere, and informality.
While firmly grounded in the celebrated history of professional
fellowship and camaraderie of its parent organization, the CSRI also
envisions some new directions. One specific new venture planned for
the future is the institutionalization of a publication series in
the form of thematically structured edited volumes originating from
the annual meetings. Nearly twelve years ago CRSI piloted this idea
with Gods of Flesh, Gods of Stone by Joanne Waghorne, Norman
Cutler, and Vasudha Narayanan. Other publications resulting from
past workshops include: Purity and Auspiciousness in Indian
Society edited by John Carman and Frederique Apffel Marglin,
Demon Devotees edited by Alf Hiltebeitel, and a special issue of
Journal of Vaisnava Studies edited by John Cort. My plan is
to make such publications a regular feature of the CSRI. A team of
respected scholars whose research specialties coincide with
conference themes would be invited to assume editorship for
different edited volumes that will be published by a university
press. Negotiations are currently underway to establish a formal
relationship between the CSRI, its host institution, and a reputed
university press.
The Conference on the Study of Religions of India (CSRI) is a
forum of exchange for scholars engaged in the academic study of the
religious traditions of India in both native and diasporic contexts.
It is committed to critical and creative inquiry. It is not an
advocacy forum for the religions of India and does not endorse or
proscribe a particular point of view. Consequently, only scholars
with terminal degrees in religious studies or related academic
disciplines (like Anthropology, Art, Ethnomusicology, History,
Philosophy, Theology, Women Studies) researching and/or teaching in
the area of religions of India are eligible to present, attend,
and/or participate in the conference. Graduate students in advanced
standing in any of these disciplines are encouraged to present and
attend the conference.
I am pleased to announce that the 2005 annual meeting will be
held from June 9 till June 12, 2005 at Albion College, Michigan.
The conference theme is “Modern Constructions of the Miraculous
and the Mysterious.” Paper proposals and abstracts of no more
than 250 words should be submitted to Selva J. Raj (sraj@albion.edu)
no later than February 10, 2005. Tentatively, Loyola
University in Chicago will be the venue for the 2006 annual meeting.
It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the 2005 Annual
Meeting at Albion College. Please encourage colleagues engaged in
the academic study of religions of India to attend and/or
participate in the conference. I look forward to seeing you in
Albion.
Sincerely,
Selva J. Raj
Chairman, The Conference on the Study of
Religions of India
October 14, 2004
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