Sravana Borkataky-Varma

Sravana Borkataky-Varma is an expert in South Asian religions, with a focus on Hindu traditions. Her research delves into Indian religions, exploring esoteric rituals, gender themes, and bodily concepts, particularly within the Hindu Śākta Tantra traditions (commonly known as Goddess Tantra). She characterizes her research approach as AND, which integrates social anthropology—as viewed externally—with aspects of reflexive autoethnography—from a personal perspective. In her role as an educator, she serves as the Instructional Assistant Professor at the University of Houston and holds the position of Research Affiliate at Harvard University’s Center for the Study of World Religions.

Sravana has co-edited two volumes: Living Folk Religions and Religious Responses to the Pandemic & Crises: Isolation, Survival, and #Covidchaos. A co-written book, The Serpent’s Tale: Kuṇḍalinī and the History of an Experience, and a third co-edited volume Embodied Pedagogy in Religion: Transforming the Classroom are forthcoming (2025). Finally, she is also working on her monograph Divinized Divas: Superwomen, Wives, Hijṛās in Hindu Śākta Tantra. Details of her other published works can be found on her website sravanaspeaks.com.

Sravana dedicates her efforts to fostering communities comprised of individuals from diverse religious backgrounds who share a commitment to kindness, compassion, and a fulfilling life. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Esalen Institute and also serves on the Advisory Board of Compassionate Houston.