Recent News:

W. Sanford singing with her new book in hand. Michael Gressett, winner of the Graduate Student Teaching Award

W. Sanford's New Book is out--
Singing Krishna introduces Paramānand, one of north India's greatest medieval poet-saints, whose poetry has been sung from the sixteenth century to the present in ritual service to the Hindu deity Krishna. Professor Whitney Sanford examines how hearing Paramānand's poetry in ritual context serves as a threshold for devotees between this world and Krishna's divine world. To "see Krishna" is a primary goal of the devotee, and Paramānand deftly constructs a vision through words. Sanford employs the dual strategies of interpreting Paramānand's poems--which sing the cycles of Krishna's activities--and illustrating the importance of their ritual contexts.

This approach offers insight into the nature of the devotional experience that is not accessible by simply studying the poetry or rituals in isolation. Professor Sanford shows that the significance of Paramānand's poetry lies not only in its beauty and historical importance but finally in its capacity to permit the devotee to see through the ephemeral world into Krishna's world. May 1st, 2008

Congratulations to Michael Gressett --
who has been selected as one of the recipients of a Graduate Student Teaching Award for 2007-2008. This is our first in what we hope will be a long line of such annual awards for our superb graduate student teachers. April 8th, 2008