HINDI 4640 - Cultural Exchanges of South Asia and Iran (Past and Present)

In this course, the students will be introduced to the rich cultural interactions that have taken place over centuries of time between South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) and Iran. Both located on the ancient Silk Route, the economic, technological, cultural, philosophical and religious exchanges between India and Iran started over 2,000 years ago, and in certain ways, is still ongoing today. From religious communities (Zoroastrian/Parsi, Shi'a Muslim, Jewish) finding exile in India and influencing their new home country in numerous ways (e.g. giving rise to modern Indian theatre and the film industry), over literary and linguistics cross-fertilizations, to modern dance and film industries that bloom and influence each other, South Asia and Iran share a rich history and heritage.