Seminário GI GPD: "The religious transfeminism of the Kinnar Akhāṛā"
with Daniela Bevilacqua, PhD (CRIA-Iscte)

Join us on Thursday, October 31st, in Room B226 of Building 4 at Iscte Conhecimento e Inovação for a seminar hosted by reseracher Daniela Bevilacqua (CRIA-Iscte).

Abstract

Established in 2015, the Kinnar Akhāṛā is a groundbreaking Hindu religious order comprised of gender non-conforming individuals, deeply rooted in the hijṛā tradition, yet structured similarly to traditional Hindu ascetic groups. The Kinnars are on a mission to foster social inclusion and acceptance of transgender individuals within Indian society by reclaiming their historically perceived religious roles in Hinduism. In doing so, they confront the patriarchal, male-dominated values characteristic of traditional ascetic orders. However, their efforts are met with criticism from some quarters who argue that they align themselves with right-wing Hindutva ideologies in a bid for political favor from the central government.

This seminar will explore the Kinnar Akhāṛā as a significant example of religious transfeminism—a movement that intertwines various feminist perspectives within a religious framework. Dr. Bevilacqua will delve into how religious transfeminism manifests within spiritual spaces, activism, and through a decolonial, intersectional lens, thereby broadening feminist discourse beyond the narratives typically centered in the global North. The discussion will highlight alternative forms of empowerment that aim to foster both religious and social transformations within India.

Bionote

Daniela Bevilacqua is an esteemed scholar in Indian studies, specializing in Hindu asceticism. She served as a post-doctoral research fellow at SOAS for the ERC-funded Haṭha Yoga Project (2015–2020) and is currently affiliated with CRIA (Iscte), where she is engaged in the project “Performing the Sacred: Ethnographies of Transgender Activism in the Kinnar Akhāṛā.” Dr. Bevilacqua is the author of two significant books, Modern Hindu Traditionalism in Contemporary India (Routledge 2018) and From Tapas to Modern Yoga (Equinox 2024), and has edited various volumes and published articles focusing on Hindu religious traditions, gender, and embodied practices.

We look forward to welcoming you to this thought-provoking seminar and engaging in meaningful discussions about the intersection of religion, gender, and social justice.

This seminar is jointly organised with The South Asian Studies Circle (CEAS).

This seminar will be broadcasted via Zoom:

» LINK ZOOM
Meeting ID: 956 4955 2890
Passcode: 495387