Dr. Leslie Orr

Biography

Leslie Orr is a Professor in the Department of Religions and Cultures at Concordia University, having joined in 1991. Her research focuses on the religious and social history of medieval Tamil Nadu, exploring topics such as women in pre-colonial South Asia, devadasis, and temple architecture and epigraphy. Her work investigates the interactions between Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Islam, as well as the history of South Indian sectarian movements and colonial missionary influences. Orr has authored the book 'Donors, Devotees, Daughters of God: Temple Women of Medieval Tamilnadu' and co-edited works examining the Jaina community under British rule. Throughout her academic career, she has published numerous articles on subjects including medieval Tamil inscriptions, the dynamics of local royal women as temple patrons, and the impact of colonial imaginings on Jainism. She teaches graduate seminars that cover a range of topics, including women's religious practices in contemporary India and the material culture of South Asian religions.

Research Interests