Abstract: By a modular relation for a certain function $F$, we mean that which is governed by the map $z\to -1/z$ but not necessarily by $z\to z+1$. Equivalently, the relation can be written in the form $F(\alpha)=F(\beta)$, where $\alpha\beta=1$. There are many generalized modular relations in the literature such as the general theta transformation $F(w,\alpha)=F(iw, \beta)$ or the Ramanujan-Guinand formula $F(z, \alpha)=F(z, \beta)$ etc. The latter, equivalent to the functional equation of the non-holomorphic Eisenstein series on $\mathrm{SL}_{2}(\mathbb{Z})$, admits a beautiful generalization of the form $F(z, w,\alpha)=F(z, iw, \beta)$, that is, one can superimpose theta structure on it.
Recently, a modular relation involving infinite series of the Hurwitz zeta function $\zeta(z, a)$ was obtained. It generalizes a result of Ramanujan from the Lost Notebook. Can one superimpose theta structure on it? While answering this question affirmatively, we were led to a surprising new generalization of $\zeta(z, a)$. We show that this new zeta function, $\zeta_w(z, a)$, satisfies a beautiful theory. In particular, it is shown that $\zeta_w(z, a)$ can be analytically continued to the whole complex plane except $z=1$. Hurwitz's formula for $\zeta(z, a)$ is also generalized in this setting. We also prove a generalized modular relation involving infinite series of $\zeta_w(z, a)$, which is of the form $F(z, w,\alpha)=F(z, iw, \beta)$. This is joint work with Rahul Kumar.