60th Anniversary Series - Philip Lutgendorf and Sara Simons on AIIS and Family, Memories, and Support

This year, the American Institute of Indian Studies turns 60! To celebrate the history of AIIS, we have launched a year-long series of audio interviews exploring the history of AIIS over the last 60 years including the founding of the institute, its impact on scholarship and students, and the future of AIIS.

In this episode of our 60th anniversary series, former AIIS President and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literature at the University of Iowa, Dr. Philip Lutgendorf, interviews Sara Simons of Philadelphia, former Career Advisor in the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as former AIIS fellow and current benefactor. In their interview, they discuss the Simons family’s many links with AIIS, Sara’s memories of the institute and of cultural life in Delhi over the years, and her decision, together with her brother, as longtime friends of AIIS, to support the Junior Fellowship program.

Visit aiis60.org to explore interactive timelines, a founding history of AIIS, information on centers and programs, and to stay up to date on AIIS 60th anniversary events.

*Transcript coming soon*

ERRATA: At one point in this conversation, the play Ghasiram Kotwal is mistakenly attributed to Girish Karnad, rather than Vijay Tendulkar. The discussants apologize for the error.

Produced by AIIS
Music “Desh” by Stephen Slawek