Fazliddin Muhammadiev’s Journey to the “Other World”: The History of a Cold War Ḥajjnāma

Fazliddin Muhammadiev’s Dar on dunyo (“In the other world”), first published in Tajik in 1965 and later translated to Russian, Uzbek, and many other languages, is the only known fictionalized account of the ḥajj produced in the Soviet Union. Based on a trip made by the author in 1963, the novel provided the Soviet reader a rare glimpse into this sacred rite. Drawing on archival sources, contemporary responses, and the text itself, this article traces the origins and publication history of the novel, situates it within Soviet domestic and foreign policy goals, and analyzes the text to see how the author tried to reconcile competing ideological priorities.

Aesthetical Transformation of Ramayana Performing Arts in Indonesia and Thailand

Over the years, the methods of preserving traditional performing arts have undergone a transformation in many states of Southeast Asia. In that, the performing art societies in Indonesia and Thailand have also made a shift in their conservation strategy from organizing the performing arts as a sacred rite with few participants to massive shows to entertain bigger audiences. This research intended to review the role of Maecenas (art protector) in enforcing the existence of Ramayanaperforming arts in three destinations in Indonesia and Thailand, namely Uluwatu’s Kecak Ramayana in Bali and Prambanan’s RamayanaBallet in Central Java, both located in Indonesia, and Khon Theater in Bangkok, Thailand. The research used a qualitative descriptive method with a functional theory approach. Data were collected through interviews, observation, and document review, following which they were analysed through interpretation. The result of the research showed that the aesthetical transformation of Ramayana performing arts in Indonesia and Thailand is determined by three factors, namely locality, time, and management. Keywords: performing arts, Ramayana, art protector, conservation