Religions of South Asia; Hinduism; Devotional Traditions of Hinduism; Indian Religions and Cultures; Rituals and Performances; Perspectives on Religious Quest; Religions of China and Japan; Passage to Contemporary India; Goddess, Saints, and Women of India; History of South Asian Civilzation

Currently Teaching

• Indian Religions and Culture (THEO 361/561 A&B) 
• Topics in South Asian Religions: Religions, Rituals and Performances (THEO 367/567)
• Religions of China and Japan (THEO 363/563)

Coming Spring 2010

• Topic for Spring: Reading Devotional Poetry (THEO 367/567)
• Indian Religions and Cultures (THEO 361/561)

Research Interests

Teaching and Research Interests
George Pati’s primary research and teaching interests lie in historical study of south Asian religions, with special emphasis on Kerala, south India. His current research focuses specifically on the mediation of religion in modern Kerala through texts, traditions, and theatrical performances. More generally, he has strong interest in theoretical issues in the History of Religions, and is also working on a manuscript exploring articulations of religion, identity, tradition and modernity in Kerala during colonial period. His doctoral dissertation entitled, "Experience, Expression,and Emancipation: Encountering Bhakti in Kumaran Asan's Malayalam Poem," examined Hindu devotional aspects (bhakti) in Malayalam poetry and poetic imagination with reference to Kumaran Asan's (1873-1924) poems.

Publications

• "Sivasurabhi by Kumaran Asan: A Translation", Norton Anthology of World Religions, (Forthcoming), edited by Wendy Doniger 
• "Dance and Folk Performative Traditions of Kerala", Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Volume 2. Leiden: E.J. Brill, (Forthcoming) 
• "Mohiniyattam: An Embodiment of the Aesthetics and the Religious", Journal of Hindu Studies, Oxford University Press (Forthcoming) 
• "Body as Sacred Space in Kalaricikitsa of Kerala, South India", Religions of South Asia. Volume 3:1 United Kingdom: Equinox Publishing Ltd., (Forthcoming) 
• "Kerala", Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Volume 1. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 2009 
• "Immigration, Identity, and Space", The Cresset: A review of literature, the arts, and public affairs. Valparaiso University., Trinity Issue, June. Vol. LXXII, 5, 2009. Pp. 30-35. 

Professional Affiliations

• American Academy of Religion
  
• Association for Asian Studies
  
• Kerala Council for Historical Research