معرفی
Prof. Axel Michaels is a Senior Professor of Classical Indology at the University of Heidelberg, affiliated with the Department of Cultural and Religious History of South Asia. He leads the Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe' and previously directed the Department of Cultural and Religious History (1996-2016). His research focuses on Nepal's cultural and legal history, Hindu ritual theory, and life-cycle rites, with notable works including Nepal: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present (2024) and Homo ritualis (2016). He chairs the von Portheim-Stiftung and founded the Centre for Asian and Transcultural Studies (CATS). Michaels' research integrates ethnographic, archival, and theoretical approaches to explore ritual dynamics and cultural hybridity in South Asia.
- Director, Cluster of Excellence 'Asia and Europe'
- Former Director, Department of Cultural and Religious History (1996-2016)
- Chairman, von Portheim-Stiftung (since 2020)
His research interests bridge historical documentation and contemporary ritual practices, emphasizing Nepal's legal codes (e.g., the 1854 Mulukī Ain) and pre-modern religious texts. Michaels collaborates with global institutions like the Arcadia Foundation on heritage preservation projects. His work challenges Eurocentric historiography through transcultural methodologies, analyzing ritual innovations and their sociopolitical implications in Hindu contexts.
Recent publications (2017-2024) highlight interdisciplinary approaches to ritual studies, including emotion in rituals, symbolic systems, and the digitization of cultural heritage. Michaels' advisory roles include the German Research Foundation's Collaborative Research Centre 619 on ritual dynamics (2002-2013). His research extends to Sanskrit manuscripts, legal documents, and oral traditions, reflecting a commitment to preserving and contextualizing South Asian cultural legacies.
