1st Edition

Ismaili Hymns from South Asia An Introduction to the Ginans

By Zawahir Moir, Christopher Shackle Copyright 2001
    258 Pages
    by Routledge

    272 Pages
    by Routledge

    The Aga Khans have long played a prominent part on the international stage, but much less tends to be understood about the most important group of their followers, the Khoja Ismailis of South Asia, who are now also settled in many other parts of the world. Even less is generally known about the hymns, called ginans, which have historically formed so central an element in the religious life and rituals of the Ismaili community. The principal aim of this anthology is to fill this gap by providing a sympathetic introduction to this still largely unexplored tradition of South Asian devotional literature, and to draw attention to the many features of remarkable interest which it contains.

    Part 1 Introduction; Chapter 1 Part I: Ismailism in South Asia and the Ginans; Chapter 2 Part II: Script and Language; Part 2 Texts and Translations; Chapter 3 Hymns of Instruction; Chapter 4 Ritual Hymns; Chapter 5 Devotional Hymns; Chapter 6 The Cosmic Cycle; Chapter 7 Tales of the Mission;

    Biography

    Zawahir Moir, Christopher Shackle