Date: May 12, 2010

Hofstra University sponsors conference on the interpretation of lyrics and music in Sikh devotional songs

Three-day event will bring international scholars and performers to campus

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY -  Hofstra University's Department of Religion, under the auspices of the Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra Endowed Chair in Sikh Studies, will sponsor a conference on "The Hermeneutics of Sikh Music and Word" May 21-23, 2010.

The conference will kick off with a concert and reception on Friday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in 246 East Library Wing, Axinn Library, South Campus, hosted by Dr. Balbinder Singh Bhogal, Ph.D, who holds the Sikh Studies endowed chair and organized the conference.

The conference will bring Sikh scholars from across the globe including India, Canada, the Netherlands, and Italy.

Lectures and discussions will examine the link between the words and music in Sikh scripture, the integration of language and meaning with music performance and address a range of questions such as the connection between music, mantra, chant and trance, and the integration of the musical, religious and political.

The Sardarni Kuljit Bindra Chair in Sikh Studies is endowed by Ishar Singh Bindra and family in honor of Mr. Bindra's wife and family matriarch, Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra. The Chair was established to promote the academic study of Sikh religion, culture and history. Besides the appointment of a faculty member, the endowment is being used to build the University Library's holdings in Sikhism, provide scholarship assistance to students interested in Sikh religion and culture, and fund annual conferences and lectures.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering, communication, education, health and human services, honors studies, and a School of Law. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students' interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

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