Written by impressively credentialed scholars in Europe, North America, and Australia, the second volume of this major reference (five volumes are planned) offers lengthy entries on sacred texts and languages, ritual traditions, arts, and concepts in Hinduism, with each entry concluding with a selected bibliography. Sacred texts and languages are discussed in tandem, with 21 entries on topics that include the major languages and religious works as well as vernacular languages and literatures of North and South India. The section on ritual traditions includes lengthy articles on the temple rituals of North and South India, as well as domestic rituals, rituals connected to food, and death and the afterlife. Articles on Bollywood and Tamil cinema, iconography, music, dance, and martial arts are among the 16 topics on arts. Articles on concepts central to Hinduism include those on Bhakti, body, dharma, gift and gift giving, and untouchability. The essays are clearly written and organized, accessible to advanced undergraduates as well as researchers, and include cross-reference to other articles in the work. A glossary is provided. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
