Gustavo Canzobre
Headmaster, Hastinapur Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 14, Issue 3, September 2022, Pages 1–10. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v14n3.03
First published: September 20, 2022 | Area: Latin America | License: CC BY-NC 4.0
(This article is published under the themed issue “Across Cultures: Ibero-America and India”)
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Argentine Women’s Contribution to the Knowledge of India in Latin America
Abstract
Argentina has been interested in the Eastern cultures in general, and in India in particular, since the very beginning of the nation. Although often not taken into account, that interest, and its subsequent influence, does not begin in the 20th century but goes back to the first half of the 19th century. Argentine intellectuals were influenced by European Orientalism, but they developed their own approach toward the Eastern world, free from any colonialist influence. The first half of 20th century shows the strong influence of Indian culture in Argentine culture. The contribution of men in this process is well recognized, however, women’s fundamental contribution to spread knowledge of India’s culture in Argentina has not received proper attention nor rightly emphasized. Half a dozen Argentine women, from Victoria Ocampo, born in 1890, to Adelina del Carril, Indra Devi, Myrta Barbie, and Ada Albrecht, still alive, have significantly contributed to understanding India not only in Argentina but also in all Latin America. In the current paper, this aspect will be discussed and an attempt will be made to present a proper trajectory of Argentine women’s contribution to the dissemination of Indian Knowledge in Latin America.
Keywords: Adelina del Carril, Ada Albrecht, Argentine women, India , Indra Devi, Latin America, Victoria Ocampo
