Livestreaming Islamic Arts: Digitisation as Translation in Shi'i Depictions of Karbala

At the Battle of Karbala (680 CE), Umayyad Caliph ordered deaths Prophet’s descendants who Shi’i Muslims believe should inherit leadership Islam. This article explores digitization their commemoration, which has always been transmedial. It analyses livestreams commemorative recitation to consider incorporation digital technologies into arts as embodied translation through symbolic materiality allows a cultural memory resonate with Shi’as. argues, following McLuhan (1964), that are ‘ways translating’ significance compresent traditions. contravenes McLuhan, however, insofar he finds electric ‘exceed ourselves’ by translating ‘our entire lives spiritual form information’. In contrast, this stresses intimacy and fmateriality, in vein it demonstrates affordances exist relation environment contingency. Given prevalence contrary claims, highlights enduring value ontological pluralism.