Eva Wilden

Professor Eva Wilden is a leading scholar in Tamil Studies and Manuscript Cultures at the University of Hamburg's Asia-Africa Institute. She heads RFH03 and is a spokesperson for Research Field D in the Cluster of Excellence 'Understanding Written Artefacts' (UWA). Her work focuses on Classical Tamil Literature, Sanskrit-Tamil interactions, and manuscript studies. She leads projects like Texts Surrounding Texts (TST) and the Palm-Leaf Manuscript Profiling Initiative (PLMPI). Wilden coordinates international summer schools and has secured prestigious grants including the ERC Advanced Grant NEtamil. Her research explores paratextual elements in manuscripts, lexicographical traditions, and digital critical editions. Wilden is actively involved in initiatives like Tamilex, aiming to create a Tamil literary corpus and lexicon. She holds leadership roles in multiple international research networks and has published extensively on Tamil-Sanskrit cultural exchanges and pre-modern literary practices.

• Key Roles: Professor, Head of RFH03, Spokesperson UWA Research Field D
• Affiliations: Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC), Asia-Africa Institute

Research Interests: Wilden investigates the interplay between Tamil and Sanskrit traditions through manuscripts, focusing on paratextual elements (colophons, prefaces) and their role in textual transmission. Her work bridges philology, digital humanities, and cultural studies, with a focus on pre-modern Tamil poetic traditions and lexicographical practices.

Recent Projects: Insights into a Maritime World (2024–2026), DiPiKA (2023–2028), Tamilex (2023–2046). She organized conferences like 'Collecting Words and Putting Them in Place' (2025) and 'Tamilex - Exploring New Ways in Tamil Lexicography' (2023).