Günther-Dietz Sontheimer (1934-92) taught History of Religions and Philosophy of South Asia, traditional Hindu Law (Dharamasastra), as well as Marathi language and literature at the South Asia Institute of the University of Heidelberg. From 1966 onwards he conducted field research on Indian folk culture, especially on the oral traditions, religion and customs of pastoral communities in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Anne Feldhaus is a Distinguished Foundation Professor of Religious Studies, at Arizona State University. She specializes in anthropological, philological, and religious studies in Maharashtra. Aditya Malik is Founding Professor in Humanities and Social Sciences at Plaksha University. His research and publications focus on oral traditions and ritual performance; religion, social justice and law; historiography; as well as the intersections of humanities, social sciences and technology. Heidrun Brückner is Professor of Indology in the Department of Indology and Comparative Religion at the University of Tübingen.