Upcoming Kundiman Events:
I'VE DRUNK YOUR POISONED NECTAR: WRITING WITH THE GODDESS WITH SHANKAR NARAYAN
APRIL 4TH—MAY 23rd, 2023
TUESDAYS, 7:00 PM–9:30 PM ET
Hinduism’s Goddess tradition is arguably the most ancient among those of world religions, dating back many millennia to prehistoric times. More powerful than her male counterparts Shiva or Vishnu, the Goddess in Hindu mythology embodies the energy that animates all of creation. Whether known as Devi, Shakti, Durga, Kali, Uma, or by her thousands of other names, she encompasses within herself all aspects of the godhead—creation, preservation, and destruction. She slays demons amid oceans of gore, enacts cosmic transformations, and dispenses unending compassion for her devotees. She spans diverse and sometimes shocking visions of the divine feminine, yet also transcends gender, matter, and time entirely.
In this part-generative, part-analytical class, we’ll take a deep dive into the Goddess’s rich mythology and philosophy, deepening our understanding of the Goddess’s many aspects. Along the way, we’ll do deep reads of varied selections from the millennia of writings she has inspired—including scripture, poetry, treatises, and more. And we’ll use this rich inspiration to write our own Devi-animated pieces.
This course is for writers in any genre, of any experience level, and of any (or no) particular spiritual or faith background. Writers will leave with a Goddess-inspired writing toolkit, including resources for doing deeper dives into this inspiring mythology, many new writing starts, and a new community with which to continue their exploration.
eligibility:
This workshop is open to all writers of color, and students must be able to attend all 8 sessions of the workshop. The non-refundable tuition fee is $495. This workshop will be held over Zoom. There is one scholarship spot available, and the applications are open through Tuesday, March 14th.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS NOW CLOSED.
FACULTY:
Shankar Narayan explores identity, power, mythology, and technology in a world where the body is flung across borders yet possesses unrivaled power to transcend them. Shankar is a five-time Pushcart Prize nominee and the winner of prizes and fellowships from Kundiman, Hugo House, Jack Straw, Flyway, and River Heron. He is a 4Culture grant recipient for Claiming Space, a project to lift the voices of writers of color, and his chapbook, Postcards From the New World, won the Paper Nautilus Debut Series chapbook prize. Shankar draws strength from his global upbringing and from his work at the intersection of civil rights and technology. In Seattle, he awakens to the wonders of Cascadia every day, but his heart yearns east to his other hometown, Delhi. Connect with him at shankarnarayan.net.
Testimonials:
I was drawn to the class by the title but then I discovered it was so much more than that. Shankar introduced Hindu stories and myths in a way that was accessible and fascinating. As writers, we could use the material to jumpstart our stories using a new kind of energy and with new characters. Shankar is thoughtful, organized, and able to break down complex information into bite sized pieces. Each class is well-crafted and includes a combination of funny, interesting, and symbolic content. We listen, watch, read, and write in each session. I also appreciated the community agreements that were shared at the beginning of each class and inspired a sensitive and safe space for everyone. I would take any class that this instructor teaches!
Shankar’s facilitation is gentle, clear, and open. He makes space for students to learn and engage with each other as well as the ideas that he offers with his incredible breadth of knowledge. I always feel supported in Shankar’s classes because of his preparation, care for his students, and patient guidance through difficult concepts.