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Acclaimed
International Photographer Pepita Seth to Present Series of
Lectures at Barnard through the Weiss International Fellowship
Fund
New
York, NY— Pepita Seth, the 2004 Barnard College Weiss
International Fellow, internationally renowned photographer
and specialist in Indian temple ritual, will present a series
of lectures on her work in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Seth's visit is supported by a bequest establishing the Weiss
International Fellowship Fund to bring distinguished scholars
in literature and the arts to Barnard College.
The lecture
series is free and open to the public.
"Reflections
on Spirit"— Wednesday October 13, 4:30-7:00 p.m,
Minor Latham Playhouse in Milbank Hall: The series will begin
with a slide lecture on the Theyyam ritual of Kerala, India,
titled "Reflections on Spirit." Theyyam, a word
derived from daivam meaning "god", is an ancient
performance-ritual found only in the Malabar region of northern
Kerala.
"The
Life and Death of Krishna"—Wednesday October 20,
4:30-7:00 p.m, Minor Latham Playhouse in Milbank Hall: Seth
will present another slide lecture entitled "The Life
and Death of Krishna" which will explore the Krishnanattam
Dance Drama of Kerala, India. Krishnanattam, which literally
translates to "Krishna's Play," is a sequence of
eight plays that spans eight days. This unique form presents
the life of Hindu deity Krishna through a combination of acting,
dance and song in the Guruvayur temple which is dedicated
to Krishna.
"Heaven
on Earth: The Universe of Guruvayur Temple"—Thursday
October 21, 7:00-9:00 p.m, Held Auditorium in 314 Barnard
Hall: The series will culminate with a slide lecture by Pepita
Seth, to be followed by an audience discussion moderated by
Professors Vidya Dehejia and John Stratton Hawley. The final
slide lecture, entitled "Heaven on Earth: The Universe
of Guruvayur Temple," will be followed by a public reception
from 9:00- 10:00 p.m. Seth spent a year documenting life within
the Guruvayur temple, during which she interacted with and
photographed people who generously opened their world to her.
Pepita
Seth, whose exhibitions have been displayed in Great Britain,
India, and the United States, began photographing temple ceremonies
and ritual performances in Kerala in 1972. Born in England
in 1942, she lived in Kerala from 1979 to 1985 and since then
has made annual visits. In 1981 religious authorities gave
her permission to enter Kerala's temples, which are generally
off-limits to non-Hindus. She received support from priests,
artists, and local residents, who encouraged her to interpret
the region's sacred universe through photography.
In addition
to the lecture series at Barnard, "Reflections of Spirit,"
the topic of the first lecture at Barnard, will receive its
premier performance in New York City at the Peter Norton Symphony
Space, (Broadway at 95th Street), Sunday October 24, at 3
p.m. and 8 p.m. For tickets or for more information about
these performances, please call (212) 545-7536.
Contact:
Petra Tuomi, Office of Public Affairs, 212-854-7907
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