Author Archives: Benjamin Aldred, Public Services and Collection Assistant for Music and Literatures of Europe and the Americas at Humanities and Social Sciences

Sketch of Søren Kierkegaard one year before his death by H.P. Hanson

A mini exhibit commemorating the life and work of Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) on the 200^th anniversary of his birth. Though only living to 42, Søren Kierkegaard produced copious works that span philosophy, literary criticism, theology, psychology, devotional literature and fiction that made innovative contributions to each. He has been dubbed the “father of existentialism” and produced important critiques of Hegel and German romanticism. He is known for both his deep melancholy and his use of humor and satire. This exhibit presents an overview of Kierkegaard’s life and continuing influence. The display features images of Kierkegaard, his family and contemporaries from the Photograph and Print Collection at the Royal Library in Copenhagen. In addition, on display are works by and on Kierkegaard belonging to the University of Chicago Library, such as volumes from important collected works and writings on Kierkegaard by members of the University of Chicago faculty.  The exhibit is on display in the Fourth Floor Reading Room of the Joseph Regenstein Library from May 8 through July 31, 2013.

Two of the most important Vaishnavite classical dances of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur—Rasa-Lila and Sankirtan—are featured in Indian Dance of Manipur, a one-case exhibit on display in the Third Floor Reading Room of the Joseph Regenstein Library from November 19, 2012, to March 8, 2013.

Krishna and Rhada (in front) and three Gopis (milkmaids) performing a portion of the Rasa-Lila. From Saryu Doshi, ed., Dances of Manipur: The Classical Tradition (Bombay: Marg Publications, 1989.)

Very little is known about ancient Manipur, a state located in northeastern India. The scattered and fragmentary records available indicate that the inhabitants of the valley belonged to seven different clans that eventually coalesced into what is still known as the ‘Meitei’ community. The ancient religion of the Meiteis included the performance of ritualistic dances that were clear expressions of religious ardor and dedication. The entire community was involved in these ritual celebrations and the performances were suffused with spiritual fervor.

Gradually Hindu philosophic beliefs filtered into this secluded valley, and the Meitei people accepted and assimilated the new divinities into their religious pantheon. During the 18th century, Vaishnavism, a branch of Hinduism that venerates the god Vishnu, became the accepted religion of the Manipuris. New temples were built and pavilions called ‘mandapas’ were constructed for devotional music and dancing. Although the Meiteis readily adopted the Vaishnavite faith, the earlier gods and their worship were never completely abandoned, thus creating a diverse synthesis of philosophical and cultural elements unique to Manipur. Two of the most important Vaishnavite classical dances of the region, the Rasa-lila and Sankirtan, are represented in this exhibit.

Rasa-Lila

Performances of the Rasa-Lila (also spelled Rosa-lila) take place on the night of the full moon during the different seasons throughout the year. These performances, involving almost exclusively women and young girls, always occur first at the Shri Shri-Govindaji temple at the capital city of Imphal. This temple is the most revered shrine in Manipur and serves as the focus of all major Vaishnavite religious activities in the region. Only after the Rasa-Lila is initially performed at the Shri Shri-Govindaji temple can this ceremony be carried out at local village temples.

The ‘rasa-mandapa’ or main pavilion in the temple at Imphal is where the Rasa-Lila performances are held yearlong on auspicious nights determined by the lunar calendar, each performance beginning at dusk and ending at dawn. Before the Rasa-Lila begins, the rasa-mandapa pavilion is washed and made ready and straw mats are arranged in neat rows for the audience on all four sides surrounding the performance area.

Since the performance takes place during nighttime hours, incandescent bulbs, tube lights, and paraffin lamps are mounted. The scene or stage operator, known as the ‘karigar,’ fixes a rope to a rolling, rotating dais that manipulates the standing images of Krishna and Rhada throughout the different phases of the performance. Prior the actual outset of the Rasa-Lila, a prologue consisting of the Sankirtan occurs, a ritualistic presentation offered by the men that involves much dancing, drumming, and singing.

A pair of Sankirtan drum dancers spinning and leaping. Photograph from Saryu Doshi, ed., Dances of Manipur: The Classical Tradition (Bombay: Marg Publications, 1989).

Sankirtan

As the branch of Hinduism known as Vaishnavism began to dominate religious worship in Manipur from the 18th century onwards, the Sankirtan became a major component of Manipuri ceremonial activity. Following an extremely strict performance code, the Sankirtan with its dance, songs, ragas (repeated melodic patterns), talas (repeated rhythmic patterns), and costumes are all determined by specific rules and regulations. The group of male dancers participating in Sankirtan includes at least one pair of drummers who perform remarkable spinning motions as they play their instruments. At times, a conch player is also included.

At a certain point in the performance, the chief singer vocalizes on the words, “Hari Bol,” while the other men intone “Hare Hare.” The major portion of the Sankirtan consists of the male performers singing an episode or story from the lives of “Krishna,: one of the most important incarnations of Vishnu, and his childhood friend, “Rhada.” The lyrics are highly devotional, written by various Vaishnavite poets.

Among the diverse types of Sankirtan ceremonies, the “Nata-Pala” is the most complex, involving male drum and cymbal dancers. The Nata-Pala is performed throughout the year at important festivals and at significant “rites-of-passage” in an individual’s life. It also serves as a common prologue to the performance of the Rasa-Lila.

See Saryu Doshi’s Dances of Manipur: the Classical Tradition for additional information.

Eight hundred students take Placement Tests at the University of Chicago Field House, September 25, 1945.
Archival Photographic Files, University of Chicago Library, Special Collections Research Center

The University of Chicago Library maintains an extensive test collection designed to facilitate research in education and psychology through the use of instruments, measures, scales and tests.  The Collection currently includes over 5,600 separately published tests. (The Library holds many more tests in published books, journal articles, and specialized microform collections)  Most instruments are printed standardized tests with manuals, but many tests include objects, which examinees are to identify or manipulate.

The Library’s Test Collection, now featured in a mini-exhibit on Regenstein’s 4th floor, dates back to the early 1900’s. The present day collection originated to support the work of three programs: the College of Education, the Department of Psychology, and the Industrial Relations Center. Each of these programs developed its own collection of tests, scales, and similar instruments for faculty researchers. In fact, many of these instruments were developed by University faculty and staff like the husband and wife team, Thelma Gwinn Thurstone (1897-1993) and L. L. Thurstone (1887-1955), who pioneered mental testing. Initially, educational tests were maintained by the Education Library in Judd Hall. Since many faculty members held joint appointments in both Education and Psychology, a good many psychology tests also began to find their way into the Education Library. By the 1960s tests previously housed in the Psychology Department moved to Judd Hall as well. In 1970, with the opening of the Joseph Regenstein Library, these collections moved from Judd Hall to their present location, the Fourth Floor of Regenstein Library.  Later in the 1970’s when the Industrial Relations Center (IRC) closed, the Library acquired its collection, which consisted of instruments primarily in vocational aptitude and employee relations. These historical collections continue to define the focus of the present day collection. 

At this time, items in the Test Collection are not listed in the Library Catalog. Patrons must consult a separate paper card catalog located in a staff area on the 4^th floor of Regenstein Library or they may search the online Test database, which at present holds just over half of the records. To gain access to materials in the collection, appointments are necessary and can be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. To find out more, please visit the “Tests and Measures” guide at: http://guides.lib.uchicago.edu/tests

Patrons should know that materials in the Test Collection are intended for academic research only. The University of Chicago Library observes the guidelines of the American Psychological Association in regard to testing. As a result, the collection is kept locked and no tests may be checked out, copied or administered. 

The exhibit will run through January 7, 2013.

A new mini-exhibit on the Battle of Borodino can be seen in the display case on the 2nd floor of Regenstein Library, through the Fall Quarter 2012.

Borodino was the turning point for Napoleon’s invasion into Russia. At the conclusion of the Battle of Borodino, Napoleon held the field, yet both the French and Russian armies suffered unprecedented losses. Napoleon was able to enter Moscow, but only at a much diminished capacity. What was left of the Russian army was able to retreat in relative good order.

Napoleon waited in Moscow for a formal surrender that never came. His retreat was disastrous. It proved a point to his foes: Napoleon could be defeated.

The battlefield itself has become a hallowed place and monuments have been put up along the path of the armies.