South Asian Religions; Hinduism; Buddhism; Sanskrit Literature; Indian Art History
Prabhavati Reddy, Adjunct Faculty of Religious Studies, is an interdisciplinary scholar with research focus in Hindu traditions, religious art and culture, Telugu literature and issues of goddess, women and religion. She holds a PhD from Harvard University (Sanskrit and Indian Studies) and masters' degrees from University of Texas at Austin (Art History) and Osmania University (Ancient Indian History & Archaeology, Hyderabad, India). Her scholarship focuses on the historical development of Hindu traditions with reference to constructive theological frameworks, religious authority and identity, conflict and resolution in response to sociological and political processes. She is the author of Hindu Pilgrimage: Shifting Patterns of Worldview of Srisailam in South India (Routledge & Oxford University,2014 & 2017). She has written articles on aspects of the South Indian temple art and religion, Hindu ritual traditions, diaspora Hinduism in North America, and folk literature of Telangana goddess Bathukamma. She is currently working on a monograph on the Tantra, Siddha, and Yoga Traditions in medieval south India.
Book projects and research in progress:
George Mason University, 2015-Present
Courses Teaching (and taught):
RELI 212: Religions of Asia
RELI 235: Religion and Literature
RELI 100: Human Religious Experience
RELI 313: Hinduism
RELI 315: Buddhism
George Washington University, 2007-2014
Courses Taught:
REL 1002 World Religions: East (India, China & Japan)
REL 3501 Hinduism
REL 3508 Pilgrimage and Sacred Sites in India
REL 3989 The Goddess in India and Beyond
REL 3562 Mythologies of India
REL 3990 Yoga Traditions and Practices in Indian Religions
REL 198 Islam and Hinduism in South Asia
REL 193 Indian Temple Religion
REL 3990 Hinduism in Modern World (Colonial-Modern to Diaspora)
Northwestern University, 2001-2006
Courses Taught:
REL 320-21 Hindu Religious Thought
REL 321-22 Hindu Mythology in Literature, Art and Performance
REL 220-26 Introduction to Hinduism
REL 350-26 Pilgrimage in South Asian Religions
REL 350-23 Yoga and Mysticism in Indian Religions
REL 111-12 Varieties of Religious Tradition
PhD in Sanskrit and Indian Studies, Harvard University (2000)
M.A in Art History, University of Texas at Austin (1986)
M.A & M.Phil in Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, Osmania University, (India, 1979 & 1981)
M.A in Political Science, Osmania University (1977)
B.A in History, Telugu literature, Political Science, Osmania University, (1975)
Visiting Professor Shivadasani Fellowship, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, Oxford University, Oxford, England, April-June 2016. Delivered the following lectures and seminars:
Center for the Study of Indian Religions Conference, Butler University, Indianapolis, Paper, June 2014
Research Scholar, Osmania University, Centre for International Programs, Hyderabad, India, Lecture, August 2014
American Academy of Religion Conference, Baltimore, Paper, March 2013
Dr. Prabhavati C. Reddy was invited by Telagana Government to participate as an International Invitee in the World Telugu Conference, Hyderabad, December 2017. She was recognized for her scholarly contributions to Telugu literature and religious studies of Telugu states. She was interviewed by editors of several news papers and magazines and YOYO TV channel.
You Tube: Prof & Dr. Prabhavati Reddy's Exclusive Interview with YOYO TV - Hindu Pilgrimage | YOYO TV Channel, January 18, 2018