Loading Events
img
img

This event is over. See upcoming events

Sat 29 Apr 2023
-
Sun 30 Apr 2023

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM (UTC+5.5)

Thirtha Yatra and Conference on Vaishnavism at Srirangam

SPEAKERS

Categories:

Location

No.7,Nelson Road, Thiruvanaikoil,
Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu 620025 India

SHARE

Background:

Vaishnavas, who follow the centrality and/or supreme position of Vishnu in Hinduism/Sanatana Dharma, make up a significant portion of the Hindu population. There are various Vaishnava traditions present throughout the Indian subcontinent and beyond. They come from diverse backgrounds including peasant, artisan, priestly etc. They can be found in all types of settlements, including urban, rural, and forest-dwelling. According to a 2010 estimate, Vaishnavas constitute the largest Hindu tradition, making up approximately 67.6% or 641 million of Hindus.

Research on the ‘Bhakti Schools of Vedanta’ primarily focuses on the Vaishnava traditions of Vedanta. These traditions understand Brahman and Ishwara of Vedanta as Vishnu or forms of Vishnu such as Krishna or Rama. The most commonly studied Bhakti Schools of Vedanta under this category are Sri Vaishnava or Visishtadvaita tradition of Sri Ramanujacharya, Dvaitadvaita tradition of Sri Nimbarkacharya, Pushtimaarga or Suddhaadvaita Brahma vaada tradition of Sri Vallabhacharya, Dvaita tradition of Sri Mdhvacharya, and Goudiya Vaishnava or Achintya Bhedaabheda tradition of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. All of these are Vaishnava traditions.

In addition to the previously mentioned Vaishnava traditions, there are numerous other traditions that focus on Vishnu, Krishna, Radha-Krishna, Rama, and other aspects of Vaishnavism. Examples include Warikari tradition, Ramanandi tradition, Northern Sant tradition, Odia Vaishnavism, Sahajiya tradition, Mahanubhaava tradition, Radhavallabha tradition, Swaminarayan tradition, Ekasarana tradition, and Pranami tradition, which are prevalent in various regions inside and outside India.

The antiquity of Vaishnava traditions is a subject of debate, with two main perspectives: the tradition insider’s view and the historicist view. Tradition insiders believe that the origins of Vaishnava paramparaa can be found in the Vedas themselves, interpreting certain Veda mantras dedicated to Virat Purusha, Narayana, etc. as Vaishnava mantras. They understand the Vedas as expressing a single united Devataa through multiple devatas, and identify that Devataa as Vishnu-Narayana, making the Vedas the origins of Vaishnava Paramparaa. Many Vaishnava traditions also place great significance on the Maha Bhagavata Purana and other Puranas as guiding scriptures for understanding the Vedas and Vedanta. On the other hand, historicists argue that the ancient emergence of Vaishnavism is unclear. They hypothesize that Vaishnavism is a fusion of various regional, non-Vedic religions with Vishnu, and that it emerged as a merger of several popular Bhagavata cults of Vāsudeva-Krishna and Gopala-Krishna, and Narayana, which they consider as non-Vedic, theistic traditions. They estimate that this fusion occurred between the 7th and 4th century BCE, and was later integrated with the Vedic God Vishnu in the early centuries CE, ultimately becoming known as Vaishnavism. However, it is known that the concept of Bhaagavata, as an individual dedicated to Bhagavaan and Bhagavaan as Deva-Deva or Devaadhideva, the supreme Devata, and that Devadeva being Vaasudeva(-Krishna) is documented in the Heliodorus Pillar inscription dated 113 BCE. It is also acknowledged that the Alwars and their Krishna bhakti tradition, Paancharaatra tradition, and Vaikhaanasa tradition precede Sri Ramanujacharya’s propagation of Sri Vaishnavism.

Conference :
We are excited to announce a conference on Vaishnavism and invite scholars to delve into the influence of Vaishnavism on Indian culture, covering topics such as:

• Scriptures and other literary works,
• Philosophical, doctrinal, and related thought,
• Skills, knowledge systems, and technology,
• Aagamas and other codes,
• Art, architecture, and sculpture,
• Folk and classical performing arts,
• Individual and collective customs, traditions, and rituals,
• Family, community, household, and ascetic customs, traditions, and rituals,
• Pre-contemporary and contemporary customs, traditions, and rituals,
• Inclusivist and integrational aspects of society and culture,
• Yoga and other practices.

Thirtha Yatra:

At INDICA we classify Indian Knowledge Traditions into three categories; Textual, Embodied and Experiential. We strongly believe that scholars seeking to pursue Textual knowledge should simultanesouly also seek to pursue Embodied and Experiential Knowledge. Only when students straddles all three forms of learning, will the benefits of Indian Knowledge Traditions especially by way of inner transformation acrue to them. We therefore organize our conferences at venues that are closely linked to the theme. The conference on Vaishnavism was initially planned to be held in Vrindavan, but due to the lack of a local collaborator, the venue has been shifted to Srirangam, home of the famous Sri Ranganathaswamy temple. The conference will now take place on April 29th and 30th, 2023.

Venue:
Sri Varahamahadesikan Hall
Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College
(Autonomous)
No.7, Nelson Road, Thiruvanaikoil,
Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu-620025

***SCHEDULE***

Day 1 – 29 April, Saturday
Inaugural Session – 9.00 to 10.00 AM
1 Dr. Nagaraj Paturi,
Senior Director & Chief Curator, INDICA
Welcome Address
2 Padma Bhushan Awardee
Shri N. Gopalaswami, I.A.S.(RTD)
,
Chairman, Sri Rangantha Paduka Vidyalaya Trust
Inauguration & Blessings
3 Shri CA Ammangi V. Balaji,
Secretary & Correspondent, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)
Guest of Honour
Session 1 – Vaishnavism Doctrine – 10.00 to 11.00 AM
1 Dr. Varada Sambhus,
Junior Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi and Asst. Professor, Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai
Vārkarī Sampradāya, Bhāgavat Dharma and Democratizing Religious Practices
2 Dr. S. Ramaratnam,
Vice Chancellor, Jagadguru Kripalu University, Orissa
Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj’s Contribution to Vaishnavism
3 Ms. Maitri Goswami The Doctrinal Form of Devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa Governed by Puṣṭi: A Vāllabha Perspective
Tea Break – 11.00 to 11.15 AM
Session 1 – Vaishnavism Doctrine Continues – 11.15 AM to 1.00 PM
4 Dr. B. C. Anish Krishnan Nayar Pancharatra Vaishnavism: From Primacy to Precarity
5 Sri Ravi Narayanan Pandharpur Vari – Confluence of Sampradayas
6 Ms. Shefali Vaidya Om Namo Narayana – A Study of Vaishnavism Among the Gowd Saraswat Brahmins
7 Dr. Bijoya Baruah D.Litt,
Professor, Department of Assamese, Mahapurush Shrimanta Shankaradeva Viswa-Vidyalaya, Nagoan (Assam)
Understanding the Acculturation, Sanskritization and Environmental Ethics in Assamese Vaishnavism Preached by Shankardeva
8 Sri Shanmugam Subramanian Sri Vaishnavism in Kanchipuram
Lunch Break – 1.00 to 2.00 PM
Session 2 – Vaishnavism & Literature – 2.00 to 4.00 PM
1 Sri Arvind V Iyer Benedictions with the Bhāsa Plays: Veneration of Viṣṇu on the Sanskrit Stage
2 Ms. M. C. Vaijayanthi A Stotra and a Kavya: Memories of the Invasion and Srirangam’s Tragic Decades
3 Ms.Hitangi Brahmbhatt
Research Fellow, K.R Cama Oriental Institute, Mumbai
Examining the Aspect of Samarpan (Surrender) in Selected Illustrated Sursagar Manuscripts
4 Sri Rabi Ranjan Sen
Associate Professor and Head, Department of History, Katwa College, Katwa, West Bengal
Sri Rama and Ramayana Tradition in Bengal
5 Ms. S. Brahadha Prasanna,
Asst. Professor in Sanskrit, PG & Research Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous)
Śrībhārgavarāghavīyam – A Philosophical Perspective
6 Ms .C. Iswarya,
Asst. Profess in Sanskrit, PG & Research Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous)
Jitante Stotra
Tea Break – 4.00 to 4.15 PM
Session 3 – Vaishnavism Art & Performance – 4.15 to 6.00 PM
1 Dr. Siri Rama,
Adjunct Faculty, SMU and NAFA , Singapore and Dancer/Artistic Director Kanaka Sabha Performing Arts Centre, Mumbai
The Maya and Lila of Lord Vishnu’s Dance
2 Dr. Dhurjjati Sarma,
Asst. Professor, Department of Modern Indian Languages & Literary Studies, Gauhati University, Assam
Visual Aesthetics of the Vaishnava Literary Culture of Assam: An Analysis of the Chitra Bhagavata in Assamese
3 Dr. Janardan Ghosh,
Teaching & Research Associate, Vivek VYASA, RKM Vivekananda University, Howrah
Vaiṣṇava Nāṭyalīlā: Śrī Caitanya’s Tryst with Performance, Inducing Spirituality
4 Dr. Nidhi Mishra,
Joint Commissioner, GST Department, Rajasthan
Haveli Sangeet: The Tradition of Pushtimargiya Kirtan
5 Sri Alkesh Zaveri,
Director, USA Chapter, Heritage Foundation, Jalgaon
Gajalaxmi on Gateways..

 

Day 2 – 30 April, Sunday
Session 4 – Vaishnavism Yoga & Rituals – 9.00 to 10.20 AM
1 Ms. Nrithya Jagannathan,
Director, KYM Institute of Yoga Studies, Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai
Īśvarapraidhānāt Eva: Śrī T Krishnamacharya’s Unique Perspective on Yogasūtra 1.23
2 Ms. Surabhi Pandey,
 Ph D Research Scholar, School of Liberal Studies, Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD)
The Votaries of Kartik Vrata in Vrindavan: Rituals as Creation of ‘Space’
3 Smt. Meena Sundaram The Abode of Lord Vishnu at Shri Madanant Temple in Goa
4 Sri Abhinav Kadambi,
Ph D Research Scholar, PG & Research, Department of Sanskrit, Presidency College (Autonomous), Chennai
Yoga in Śrīpraśnasaṃhitā – A Brief Overview
Session 5 – Vaishnavism in Modern Period – 10.20 to 11.00 AM
1 Sri Sushant Bharti,
M. Arch, Conservation (SPA Delhi)
The Social Context of Eighteenth-Century Vrindavan Through the Eyes of Nagaridas
2 Sri Jataayu Spirituality of Bharati’s Kannan Paattu: A Study
Tea Break – 11.00 to 11.15 AM
Session 5 – Vaishnavism in Modern Period     Continues- 11.15 AM to 12.30 PM
3 Sri Sunil Kumar,
President-Aglaia Interactive
Gaudiya Vaishnavism and the Rediscovery of Vṛndāvana
4 Dr. Vinayak Pandey Vishnu Sahasranamam Mahatmya: Analysis of Contemporary Devotees’ Testimonies
5 Dr. S. Jagannath,
Asst. Professor of Tamil, Sri S. Ramasamy Naidu Memorial College, Sattur (Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai)
A Fine Balance Between Tradition and Modernity: Life and Times of Sri Ramanuja Navalar (1831-1892)
6 Dr. Santanu Dey,
Associate Professor, Department of History, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Howrah
Vaishnava Ritual Manuals and Reformist Voices Within Bengali Vaishnavism in Colonial Bengal
Special Talk by Invited Speaker – 12.30 to 1.00 PM
Dr. V. Raman,
Asst. Professor and Head, PG & Research, Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)
Lunch Break – 1.00 to 2.00 PM
Special Talk by Invited Speaker – 2.00 to 2.20 PM
Dr. S. R. Sathyanaranayanan,
Vice- Principal & Dean-Commerce & Management, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)
Session 6 – Vaishnava Ideas – 2.20 to 3.00 PM
1 Sri B. Nagarajan, 
Asst. Professor in Sanskrit, PG & Research, Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)
Vaishnaviya Prakashata
2 Sri T. M. Venkatesan,
Guest Lecturer in Sanskrit, PG & Research, Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)
Vaishnavisam and Nine Types of Bhakti
Tea Break – 3.00 to 3.15 PM
Special Talk by Invited Speakers – 3.15 to 4.15PM
Vidwaan  Sri V. S. Vijayaraganvan Acharya,
 Ex-Director, MSRVVP, Ujjain and Scholar in Nyaaya, Saahitya & Vedanta
2 Dr. Rama. Kausalya & 
Ms. Madhuvanthi Badri
Srirangam Pancharatnam of Saint Tyagaraja
Valedictory Session – 4.15 to 6.00 PM
1 Srirangam V Mohanarangan,
Author of Sri Ramanuja and Bhagavad Vishayam
Chief Guest
2 Dr. M. Pitchaimani,
Principal, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)
President
3 Dr. Nagaraj Paturi,
Senior Director & Chief Curator, INDICA
Summary & Conclusion
4 Ms. S. Brahadha Prasanna,
Asst. Professor in Sanskrit, PG & Research Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous)
Vote of Thanks

 

Speakers
speaker

Dr. Nagaraj Paturi

Senior Director & Chief Curator, INDICA

Dr Nagaraj Paturi trained in Sanskrit and Advaita Vedanta by his hyper-polyglot, polymath and spiritually accomplished sakala-shaastra-paarangata father, late Sri Paturi Sitaramanjaneyulu garu, he is seriously committed to the transmission of Vedic sciences to the present generation. He designed a very big number of courses of contemporary applications of Vedic Sciences and has been successfully teaching them and getting them taught. Presently he is Presently he is Director, Indic Academy And Distinguished Professor, Curriculum Designer, Executive Committee Member and Member, Board of Studies, MIT School of Vedic Sciences, Pune. Member, Board of Studies for Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth, Kavikulaguru Kalidasa Sanskrit University, Veda Vijnana Gurukula. Formerly Senior Professor of Cultural Studies FLAME School of Communication and FLAME School of Liberal Education Former Visiting Professor, University of Chicago, US) In his PhD (1998, UoH) Developed Indic Model of Myth Criticism of Literature. MPhil (1987, UoH) Brought out Vakyapadiyam as theoretical foundation of Ashtaadhyaayee Around 50 publications, around 60 conference /seminar/ workshop papers. Consultancy to numerous culture research and theater and dance innovation projects. Scores of creative writing works for Classical Dance, Modern Theater and magazines. Several series of talks and other programs on Radio and Television channels.

speaker

Padma Bhushan Awardee Shri N. Gopalaswami, I.A.S.(RTD)

Chairman, Sri Rangantha Paduka Vidyalaya Trust

N Gopalaswami a former Chief Election Commissioner of India (2006-2009) is a Padma Bhushan awardee (2015). Native of Needamangalam (then in Thanjavur district) he did his schooling at Mannargudi and graduation from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli. A Gold Medalist Post-graduate in Chemistry from Delhi University (1965), Mr Gopalaswami joined the I.A.S (1966) and served in the State of Gujarat for 25 years, in various positions, including in the Departments of Education and Revenue, the Gujarat Electricity Board and finally as MD of Gujarat Communications and Electronics before moving to Delhi (1992) to serve in Government of India (GoI). During the early eighties, he earned a Diploma in Urban Development Planning (1982) from the University of London.

While in the GoI, he served in the Department of Electronics in charge of Software Development Division; in the Planning Commission in Charge of Education, Culture and Sports; in the National Human Rights Commission as its Secretary General ; as Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and later as Union Home Secretary before being appointed as Election Commissioner (2004) and later as Chief Election Commissioner (2006).

During his stewardship, the Election Commission successfully implemented many innovations most important out of them being the introduction of Photo Electoral Rolls to improve the quality and prevent impersonation, and Age-cohort analysis of Electoral Rolls to improve their fidelity and accuracy.

As secretary Culture in GoI (2001-2002), he got the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee to approve the incorporation of Darasuram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temples (Tamilnadu), Champaner Fort Complex (Gujarat) and Bimbetka, the Pre-Historic painting site (Madhya Pradesh ) in the list of World Heritage Sites. He also was instrumental in having 'VEDIC Chanting' incorporated by UNESCO in the list of World's Oral Heritage.

Government of India appointed him (November 2014) to head a committee to prepare a vision document for Sanskrit education which was finalised and submitted in February 2015.

In 2015 he was conferred with Padma Bhushan award for his distinguished career and service as a civil servant. He was till recently Chairman of KALAKSHETRA Foundation, Chennai (2014-19) the premier Dance Teaching Institution founded (1936) by the legendary Dancer, theosophist and animal rights activist Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale. In 2018 February he was appointed to head the Empowered Expert Committee to select 20 Institutions (Institutions of Excellence), both public and private, who had the potential to become World class institutions. This task was completed by mid-2019 and the selected institutions are now being mentored by the same committee.

He is currently the President of Vivekananda Educational Society which runs a group of 25 schools in and around Chennai. He is also currently the Chancellor of the National Sanskrit University at Tirupathi. He heads the Madras Sanskrit college's Executive Committee.

He is conversant in Tamil, Hindi, Gujarati, Sanskrit and English.

speaker

Shri CA Ammangi V. Balaji

Secretary & Correspondent, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)

speaker

Dr. Varada Sambhus

Junior Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi and Asst. Professor, Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai

speaker

Dr. S. Ramaratnam

Vice Chancellor, Jagadguru Kripalu University, Orissa

Dr.S.Ramaratnam (born, 5-3-1946) is currently working as the Vice Chancellor of Jagadguru Kripalu University. His other academic positions include being Vice Chancellor of Sri Sri University, Odisha, Director, Sri Sri Management Institute, Principal of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Chennai and Professor and Head of the Department of Sanskrit in the same college. He holds degrees of M.A. Ph.D in Sanskrit, M.B.A. M.Phil, M.A. in Philosophy and M.Sc. in Psychology. Further he has graduate degrees in 5 subjects and a host of Diplomas and Certificates.

The titles conferred on him are - 1.Eminent Academician Award, in Mumbai 2.Eminent Academician Award in Chennai 3.Bharata Kala Nipuna 4.Kala Sastra Paarangata 5.Samskrta Ratna 6.Sahitya Vallabha 7. International Academic Laureate 8. Shanti Doot

He has worked as Visiting Professor at the Oxford University and University of Mauritius. He has attended, presented papers and has presided over sessions at the International Conferences held in in Hamburg, Leiden, Kuala Lumpur, The Hague, Toronto, Vienna, Hong Kong, Krakow, Melbourne, Durban, Budapest, Houston, Turin, Montreal, Oxford, Mauritius, Colombo (2), Bangkok (2), Xian and Bali. He has published more than 40 articles in leading Journals.

Publications – Books

1.The Ritual Traditions of India, 2. Dance Drama in theory and practice, 3. Sanskrit Drama with special reference to Prahasana and Vithi, 2013 4. Management Mantras, 5. Kalasala Pathamala,. 6. Sanskrit for Beginners, 7. Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa, Canto XII, 8. Prahasana in Sanskrit Literature 9. Laghu Bharatam, co-editor

speaker

Ms. Maitri Goswami

Maitri is a Vaishnavite by faith and a learner of Vedant, Bharatiya culture and Dharmic scriptures. She has persued her MA from Sampoornanand Vishwavidyalay, Varanasi with Vedant as the main subject. As the 17th descendent of Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhachary, she has been studying all the Sampradayik scriptures of Pushti Bhakti Sampraday from her father Shri Sharad Goswami and her revered Guru Shri Shyam Manohar Goswami. In addition to Sampradayik scriptures, she has studied Sanskrit Vyakaran, Nyay, Sankhya shastra and philosophies proposed by all the major Vedant Acharyas. In accordance with her duties towards her Sampraday, she currently preaches the scriptures written by Mahaprabhu Shri Vallabhachary and Vedic Philosophy. She is working with her father at Shri Vallabhachary Vidyapeeth established in Gujarat for publishing, preserving and teaching the Vedic scriptures and Granthas written by the respected Acharyas of Vallabh Sampraday. She also teaches Vallabh Vedant in a Diploma course run by the Department of Philosophy, University of Mumbai and is working as faculty in an online course regarding life and works of Vallabhachary run by Indica Courses.

speaker

Dr. B. C. Anish Krishnan Nayar

Dr B C Anish Krishnan Nayar holds bachelor's degree in English , multiple masters' degrees in English , Psychology, Philosophy & Religion and Linguistics.He holds SET clearance in English and NET certificate in English and Women Studies.His doctoral thesis was on multivalency ie how a text accomadates multiple contradictory interpretations .He has written a number of academic and popular articles.He started writing articles related to Indology right from his student days.His area of interest within Indology includes Mantra Shastra , Agamic Traditions and Comparative Vedanta.Within the realm of Literary Studies ,he focuses on Literary Theory , Postcolonialism , Medical Humanities and Comparative Literature.

Some of the articles written by him in Tamil and English in Tamizhini Journal can be read here :

https://tamizhini.in/author/b-c-anish-krishnan-nayar/

Currently he teaches Technical Communication in a college.

speaker

Sri Ravi Narayanan

Shri. Ravi Narayanan, holds a post graduate degree in Social Psychology from the Mumbai University. He completed 22 years of service in Tata Motors before retiring under the VRS scheme as Deputy General Manager. Having learnt mridangam under Shri Chandramouli Sir of Dombivli, Ravi has been a percussion artiste accompanying for many a musical and dance programs. In 2015, Ravi co-founded the Saaraakassh Trust which is working in the adivasi belts of Maharashtra in the fields of sanitation, education and malnutrition. An RSS worker, Ravi keenly believes that the Sanatana Dharma has the power to illumine the path ahead for the whole world. In February 2023, Ravi got an opportunity to be at the Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth for the 3 day IKS conference for youth that was held there. This opened a complete new dimension for him, giving birth to Punascha Bharath, the research wing of Saaraakassh Trust which has started work earnestly in researching about Indic Knowledge systems. Ravi is now working on a project of making Bharatiya Gyana Parampara (IKS) known to school and college students, so as to ‘catch them young’.

speaker

Ms. Shefali Vaidya

Shefali Vaidya is an award winning multi-lingual author and media professional with a keen interest in history of Indian textiles and temple architecture, history of Goa and contemporary politics. She manages these diverse areas of interest with great aplomb. She holds a post graduate degree in Communication Studies and post-graduate diplomas in Indology and Spanish.

She has over 20 years of work experience in the field of media and film and TV production. Shefali has given several lectures on Textile history in India and abroad. Currently, she is the chief curator of the Western Ghats Literature Festival, Coimbatore. Shefali has participated in several literary and cultural conferences and festivals. Her series of research articles on the significance of motifs used in Indian Art and the synergy across multiple art forms has been critically acclaimed.

Shefali has written columns on temple architecture and textiles in both English and Marathi for leading publications. She has been an expert member of the committee of textiles appointed by the central ministry of textiles. Shefali is a best selling author of 3 books in Marathi. Her coffee table bilingual book on temples of India is slated for a release in early 2023.

Shefali has curated conferences on the history of Indian Textiles and read several papers on Hindu Temple Architecture, Textile Art and Hindu traditions of arts and crafts. Shefali has been invited by prestigious national institutions like IGNCA, Delhi and DIAT, Pune to give lectures on textile history.

Shefali Vaidya is a fellow of Ananta Leadership Academy and is a recipient of the prestigious Infosys Fellowship from BORI, Pune.

A keen collector of heritage weaves, Shefali is a firm believer in giving back to the society and her career reflects a consciously chosen balance between professional appearances and pro bono work for weavers and other social causes close to her heart like heritage conservation, craft preservation and Vedic education.

speaker

Dr. Bijoya Baruah D.Litt

Professor, Department of Assamese, Mahapurush Shrimanta Shankaradeva Viswa-Vidyalaya, Nagoan (Assam)

speaker

Sri Shanmugam Subramanian

S.SHANMUGAM have completed MSc and M.Phil in Biochemistry and serving as associate professor in a college affiliated to university of Madras. Presented research papers in various conferences and published paper in journals . Contributed chapters in books. Started sri NS academy during 2021, through this various awareness initiatives taken to preserve tradition , culture life styles disease control among youngsters for betterment of India and environment.

speaker

Sri Arvind V Iyer

Arvind V Iyer has a research background in Computational Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering. His interests as an independent researcher include Indian languages, appreciation of classical performing arts, and contemplative practices.

speaker

Ms. M. C. Vaijayanthi

Vaijayanthi is a journalist, blogger with a post graduate in English Literature from the Madras University, and a P.G. Diploma in Journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai. Spent major part of her career as a journalist covering stock markets, banking, finance, oil and gas sector for various national and international media organizations. Was a Panos South Asia fellow in 2012-13 as part of their India Telecom Project. Researched on Araiyar Sevai, a devotional performing arts tradition in specific Vishnu temples, as a Justice Telang fellow in Indology in 2017-18, Asiatic Society, Mumbai. Interest in Indology, heritage, and culture led her to do a basic and an advanced course in Ancient Indian Culture and an introductory course in Sanskrit from the Mahamahopadhyaya P.V. Kane Institute, Asiatic Society. Prior to that attended a course in Indian Darshanas and Patanjali Yogasutras from K.R. Cama Institute. She blogs on heritage, textiles, and Hindu temples, aspiring amateur photographer and avid traveller.

speaker

Ms. Hitangi Brahmbhatt

Research Fellow, K.R Cama Oriental Institute, Mumbai

Hitangi Brahmbhatt completed her Master in Visual Arts from the department of Art History and Aesthetics with a specialization in Indian Miniature Painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara. She has previously worked as the Museum Keeper at Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum, Ahmedabad under the directorship of renowned Art Historian, Prof. Ratan Parimoo. Some of her areas of interest are understanding the text-image relationship within illustrated Indian manuscripts, Hindi riti and bhakti poetry, Indian narrative traditions, Literary Theories, Indian Aesthetics and Literary Criticism. She is currently on two research fellowships at the Forum on Contemporary Theory, Vadodara and the K.R. Cama Oriental Institute, Mumbai.

speaker

Sri Rabi Ranjan Sen

Associate Professor and Head, Department of History, Katwa College, Katwa, West Bengal

Associate Professor and Head, Department of History, Katwa College, West Bengal, and also involved in educational administration as President, Vidya Bharati, South Bengal. Writes on historical, social and educational issues.

speaker

Ms. S. Brahadha Prasanna

Asst. Professor in Sanskrit, PG & Research Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous)

Ms.S.Brahadha Prasanna is a media graduate holding a Masters Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism and have an ample work experience in Television channels.

In continuation with her M.A., M.Phil., in Sanskrit, she has submitted her Ph.D in the Modern Sanskrit Literature.

She has submitted nearly 10 research paper and has experience of 10+ years in teaching.

speaker

Ms .C. Iswarya

Asst. Profess in Sanskrit, PG & Research Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous)

speaker

Dr. Siri Rama

Adjunct Faculty, SMU and NAFA , Singapore and Dancer/Artistic Director Kanaka Sabha Performing Arts Centre, Mumbai

Dr Siri Rama is a Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer, choreographer and teacher. Siri’s Bharatanatyam training was under Gurus Komala Valli, RAmaswamy Bhagavathar, Vijayalakshmi Krishnaswamy, T S Kadhirvelu and T.V Sounderarajan, and her Kuchipudi training was under the maestro Guru C R Acharyulu.

Siri holds a PhD in Fine Arts from the University of Hong Kong, and has presented and published papers in numerous books and conferences around the world, exploring the connections of Indian classical dance to literature, sculpture, yoga, translation, Sanskrit, technology and physics. Her PhD thesis featured a detailed analysis of the dance sculptures in the Belur and Halebidu temples in Karnataka, India. She is an Adjunct faculty member at the Singapore Management University and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts where she has taught courses on World Dance, Indian dance and on Indian cultural traditions.

Siri has trained over a hundred dancers in Mumbai, where she founded the Kanaka Sabha Performing Arts Centre in 1981. She has also taught many dancers in Hong Kong and Singapore and has groomed over twenty dancers to arangetram performances. As a choreographer, she has collaborated widely with traditional Chinese and Malay dancers, contemporary Taiwanese dancers, American storytellers, Hindustani and Indian contemporary musicians, and international computer musician with whom she has presented numerous thematic solo and group dance productions. As a soloist, Siri has danced to rave reviews across many cities in India, and in the USA, the middle East, Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. She has been honoured with many titles including Singar Mani, Nritya Ratna, Natya Mayuri and a lifetime achievement award from the Kannada Sangha, Singapore. Siri has served as external examiner for several dance academies in Singapore and has been on the jury for several international dance competitions in India, Singapore, Malaysia and the USA. She recently completed her fourth consecutive term as President of the Singapore chapter of the World Dance Alliance. Siri is the founder of the dance website www.kanakasabha.com. Siri has recently authored a book ‘Dance Divine: Dancing Deities of India’ (2021), Shubhi Publications (New Delhi, India).

speaker

Dr. Dhurjjati Sarma

Asst. Professor, Department of Modern Indian Languages & Literary Studies, Gauhati University, Assam

Dhurjjati Sarma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Modern Indian Languages and Literary Studies, Gauhati University, Assam. He was earlier a Production Editor at SAGE Publications, New Delhi, and, before that, a Research Fellow in North East India Studies at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi. He is presently engaged in studying the early and modern literatures of Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu from a comparative-cultural perspective. As a student and teacher of comparative literature, he is also trying to develop new insights and perspectives on the composite area of comparative literary history. His writings have been published under Sahitya Akademi, Routledge, and Palgrave Macmillan, and in journals like Rupkatha Journal, Dibrugarh University Journal of English Studies (DUJES), Space and Culture India, and Margins: A Journal of Literature and Culture. He is presently working on a critical history of Assamese literature.

speaker

Dr. Janardan Ghosh

Teaching & Research Associate, Vivek VYASA, RKM Vivekananda University, Howrah

Dr Janardan Ghosh is a performing artist, academic, theatre director, film actor, playwright, performance coach and storyteller (Katha Abhinaya), whose practice includes the use of traditional theories, contemporary performance vocabulary, and interactive media. His research-based work engages the indigenous practice methods exploring the perspectives of historicity, spiritual consciousness, intertextual dialogue, and body-space dynamics of myths, tales and gossip.

He has completed his doctorate in Performance and Spirituality from the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Belur.

He has trained and worked with international and national theatre directors, like Wlodzimierz Staniewski (Poland), Wulfgung Kolneder (Germany), Brian Russo (USA), Gio (Korea), Anjan Dutta, Jayati Bose and Badal Sirkar (India) and filmmakers like Neal Biswas (UK) Amit Ravindernath Sharma, Shailendra Vyas, Sharmistha Maity & Rajdeep Paul, Srijit Mukherjee and Q (India). He has collaborated and worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company & British Film Institute (UK), Goethe Institute (Kolkata), Alliance Francaise (Kolkata), British Council (Kolkata), AIR (Kolkata), Doordarshan (Kolkata), Aurora Film Corporation (Kolkata), Zee Studios (Mumbai), Hoi Choi (Kolkata) and others. Recently, he has acted as the protagonist in an award-winning film Kalkokkho (The House of Time).

He is a Teaching & Research Associate with RKM Vivekananda University, Creative Director of OGLAM & Culture Monks. He conducts classes for Theatre Studies at Winnipeg University, Canada, NHSM, Kolkata, and Surendranath College, Kolkata.

He had been to Thailand, Poland, UK, Vietnam, Japan and other countries for performances and workshops. Have been awarded for Performance in Education for Social Change by Monash University, Australia and The Telegraph, Kolkata. He participated in International conferences hosted by IndicA, Rabindra Bharati University, Kalyani University, Anant National University, Eastern Zonal Shakespeare Society, ICCR, Durban and Kolkata, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok and others. He has published scholarly articles in peer review journals, essays and plays in theatre journals. He is the Swadhaya Pramukh of Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Paschimbanga Pranta.

speaker

Dr. Nidhi Mishra

Joint Commissioner, GST Department, Rajasthan

Dr. Nidhi Mishra working as Joint Commissioner in the SGST Department., Government of Rajasthan, Jaipur. She done M.Phil. and Ph.D in History. Though not professionally into the occupation of Research, her inclination towards Culture and History of India drives an urge to explore deeper and deeper into the various facets of timeless treasure of our glorious past. While moving ahead in her journey of discovery of new facts about the great Indian culture, She find it compelling to write about the same. In pursuance of it, She had written and got published numerous articles on different topics of history and culture of India. Besides, She had also presented papers in several esteemed conferences.

speaker

Sri Alkesh Zaveri

Director, USA Chapter, Heritage Foundation, Jalgaon

Shri Alkesh Zaveri, is a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource, Master of Science in Statistics (Operation Research and Computer Programming) and alumni of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

Working in Retail sector since 2006 in USA at different positions with Walgreens currently working in CVS PHARMACY at front End as Shift SUPERVISOR

Previously Worked as training officer and Program Coordinator at All India institute of Local Self Government –India of Various Conferences by All India Institute of Local Self Government at Local ,at National and International Level during which attended various conferences at NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL level namely World Mayors’ Conference “Millennium Development Goals and Role of Cities” , Seminar on “Chemical Related Disaster and its Management” , Forum on Innovative Approaches on Municipal Finance” along with IULA ASPC and AIILSG, National Seminar on “Fire & Safety Management” , Workshop on Best Practices Scheme of Solid Waste Management for Local authority.

As a heritage lover and Enthusiast Read he has read various books on Indian Heritage and attended Various short term online courses on Heritage, to up keep the same he is and Constantly attends workshops , and talks in form of Webinars on Indain Heritage his main focus of study is imagery of Gajalaxmi overyu Pan India with an aim to make heritage loveable adaptable at Grass root level and Maintain balance between Development and Heritage Protection Conservation and adaption he has affiliated himself as Director USA Chapter, Heritage Foundation Jalgaon his love has helped him to has Presentd various Research Papers in heritage and culture , Holi in North America., Role of women in Building Water Structures “The Unsung Lyrics of HIRA AND TENI”, “The Presiding Deity of Immense Opulence, Good fortune, Prosperity and Splendor” Sri Mahalaxmi, The Sacred Goddess Laxmi and her Veneration Into Various Communities”, Journey of Goddess of Gaja-Lakashmi Through Millennia –Over Pan India, The Neglected Archeological Site of Amjahra and Karhar Ma Temple at International Webinar, Gajalaxmi and Connection with Elephants under theme Animal heritage Vraj The Divine Shrine and Center of Vaishnavs in The Western Hemisphere.

speaker

Ms. Nrithya Jagannathan

Director, KYM Institute of Yoga Studies, Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai

Nrithya Jagannathan is a senior yoga therapist from the Krishnamacharya tradition. She studied under world renowned Yogacharya, Sri T K V Desikachar for over a decade With over 21 years of teaching experience, she is currently the Director of the KYM Institute of Yoga Studies, Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai India. This is the training and certification wing of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. She has traveled extensively around the world to teach Yoga and Vedic Chanting and has participated in numerous national and international conferences, symposia and seminars on a broad array of themes. A certified therapist from the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C- IAYT). Nrithya is currently on the Certification Committee of the IAYT, and also Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Academics and Examinations of the Tamilnadu State Chapter of Indian Yoga Association. A classical bharathanatyam dancer as well, Nrithya has over 1500 stage shows to her credit and is well versed in choreography and nattuvangam. She is passionate about all aspects of Indian literature, culture and philosophy. She is also the Editor in Chief of Darsanam, the Quarterly Journal on Yoga and Yoga Cikitsa of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram.

speaker

Ms. Surabhi Pandey

Ph D Research Scholar, School of Liberal Studies, Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD)

Ms. Surabhi Pandey is a Doctoral Scholar at the Department of History, School of Liberal Studies (SLS), Ambedkar University, Delhi. She holds a degree in Masters in Philosophy from the Centre for Comparative Religions and Civilisations, Jamia Millia Islamia (2018). Before that, she completed her Masters of Arts from Daulat Ram College, Department of History, University of Delhi (2015). Her areas of specialization are Early Modern Indian Religious History, Ethnography in the Study of Religion, Medieval Vaishnavism, Cultural, and Religious Sacred Spaces, particularly of the region of Braj. She is also a recipient of JRF at the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) Delhi.

speaker

Smt. Meena Sundaram

Meena is an ex-banker with a passion for Carnatic Music, Mathematics, and Temple Architecture. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Science, and a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Bangalore University. Upon moving on from the banking sector, Meena pursued a Bachelor’s in Carnatic Music from Akhila Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai. She also pursued a Master’s degree in Carnatic Music from Mother Teresa Women’s University, Kodaikanal and a Diploma in Sangeetha Sastra & Music appreciation under the tutelage of Shri R.K. Padmanabha. She has since been associated with the Birla Institute of Technology’s (BITS) Goa Campus as visiting faculty for the course “Introduction to Carnatic Music”. She is a regular contributor on YouTube where she posts videos on various topics such as temples, music, and mathematics. She is the founder of “Sruti Soundarya”- a group of like-minded women who perform at various Temples in Goa. She has also given performances for the Carnatic Music Society (Goa) on various occasions and conducted lecture-demonstrations on topics related to music.

speaker

Sri Abhinav Kadambi

Ph D Research Scholar, PG & Research, Department of Sanskrit, Presidency College (Autonomous), Chennai

Abhinav Kadambi is a seventh generation paternal descendent of yogi śrī. Maddibande Ramadhyani Kadambi Srinivasa Tatachar svāmī of Tumkur and is the dauhitra of mahāmahopādhyāya patrakāraśiromaṇi freedom fighter, linguist, Sahitya Akademi award winning author, and translator śrī. Dr. Tirumala Ramachandra svāmī. After a B.Tech. in bioengineering and an M.Tech. in medical nanotechnology, he has had international experience in STEM research (biomedical device design and fabrication, animal cognition and behaviour, and cognitive neurosciences) and science journalism. He has completed an MA (Sanskrit) from the University of Madras, Chennai. He has studied the basics of saṃskṛtam as a student of śrī. Dr. O. R. Devanathan svāmī (Oozhapaakkam Devanathachar svāmī), Head of the Department, PG and Research Department of Sanskrit, Presidency College (Autonomous), Chennai. He is a traditional nyāyaśāstra student of nyāyaratna nyāyaśiromaṇi śrī. Dr. Jammalamadaka Suryanarayana Shastri ji. He is a student practitioner of yogaśāstra in the tradition of Yogacharya śrī. Tirumalai Krishnamacharya svāmī. He currently is a PhD research scholar in Sanskrit under the guidance of śrī. Dr. O. R. Devanathan svāmī at the University of Madras, Chennai. Apart from teaching of and research in saṃskṛtam, yoga, and indigenous approaches to Indology, he also transcribes manuscripts (for example, śrīhiraṇyagarbhasaṃhitā in pāñcarātrāgama) and translates from and to saṃskṛtam. He belongs to the parakālamaṭha (śiṣya of śrī. Abhinavavāgīśabrahmatantrasvatantraparakālamahādeśikan svāmī) and is associated with śrī Parāṅkuśa svāmī maṭha at Surpur (near Yadgir), Karnataka. He works with teaching/research responsibilities with multiple organisations including Kameswari Foundation, Kalasadhanalaya, Krishnamacharya Healing and Yoga Foundation, and Bhartiya Fitness Academy. He also volunteers for Vivekananda Kendra, Chennai.

speaker

Sri Sushant Bharti

M. Arch, Conservation (SPA Delhi)

Sushant Bharti is a Conservation Architect & Researcher based in New Delhi. His broad interests lie in understanding the diverse architectural heritage of India. His area of research is the cultural heritage of Braj, known for its complex religious setting and architecture. He has previously worked with the National Museum, New Delhi to document cultural heritage in Uttar Pradesh and Ladakh. As part of this work, he was tasked with conceptualizing designs for new museums at other canonical sites: Kashi Vishwanath and Kedarnath. He is a keen advocate for the protection of the tangible and built heritage of the Braj region. He recently wrote a book titled "Sagar Ke Senani" about the unsung heroes of the Indian Independence movement under the PM YUVA Fellowship of the National Book Trust. Currently, he's a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Ireland and Great Britain and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, London.

speaker

Sri Jataayu

Jataayu has been writing on a range of topics centered around Indic social and cultural themes and Hindutva since 2005, both in Tamil and English. He is well read on Hindu philosophy, history, culture and arts. He is a scholar of Tamil literature, both classical and modern, especially Kamba-Ramayanam and Bhakti poetry and gives discourses on these subjects. A collection of his Tamil essays has been published as a book Kaalamthorum Narasingam (2015). He is on the editorial board of the popular website tamilhindu.in. His articles and talks have been featured in Swarajya magazine, Swadeshi Indology Conference, Indic Talks, Atharva Forum and Pondy Lit Fest among others. An Electronics Technology professional by vocation, he is currently a resident of Bengaluru. His real name is Sankara Narayanan and his pseudonym is inspired by the supreme devotion, valour and sacrifice of the legendary bird from Rāmāyaṇa whom he holds as a great ideal. He regularly writes at https://facebook.com/jataayu.blore/ 

speaker

Sri Sunil Kumar

President-Aglaia Interactive

A versatile and multi-faceted personality, Sunil Kumar is a postgraduate from the University of Westminster, London. In creative terms, his achievements span multiple fields.

His book, Existential Angst (1999), an anthology of poetry is catalogued in the British Council, Sussex, the U.S. South Asian Literature List and is available on Amazon. Critics have praised it as philosophical and thought-provoking. Sunil has also authored Surreal City; a work of fiction, a poignant tale spanning multiple generations that takes readers on a journey through time and space. The noted poet Nissim Ezekiel made him a member of the P.E.N. (India Chapter).

Liberal agnosticism and a spirit of inquiry is Sunil’s mantra in life. A university-level quiz winner, he is a voracious reader and multilingual. Sunil has authored research papers published by the world’s leading research body in engineering and computer science, the IEEE USA.

He has been a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Microsoft Bizspark Startup Award for Technology, AC Nielsen Top 10 and World Marketing Congress Awards for Digital Marketing.

Despite his diverse interests, he has a deep connection to his cultural roots, and his true passion lies in the study of the limitless ocean of Indic traditions.

Sunil has been actively associated with Gaudiya Vaishnavism through the Hare Krishna Movement, a unit of ISKCON Bengaluru, where he has been associated with practitioners and scholars in the field. His spiritual journey has been a source of inspiration for his writing.

Sunil Kumar’s paper examines the historical, religious, and cultural significance of Vṛndāvana - one of the most sacred towns in Indian devotional tradition, particularly for Vaishnavas.

He explores the town’s complex history, tracing its evolution from ancient times to the present day, the role it has played in the development and propagation of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, and how it continues to be a major centre for spiritual practice and learning.

speaker

Dr. Vinayak Pandey

Dr. Vinayak Pandey has undergone a formal training in engineering and management, and subsequently obtained a doctoral degree.

For the last 24 years he has been working in the corporate sector, currently designated as Vice President in a semi-government corporation based in Jaipur. As a practicing devotee Hindu, he has a passion and keen interest in analysing, researching, propagating, and debating about diverse subjects pertaining to Indian culture, history and Dharma

speaker

Dr. S. Jagannath

Asst. Professor of Tamil, Sri S. Ramasamy Naidu Memorial College, Sattur (Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai)

Dr S. Jagannath is a native of Madurai. He has a Master’s Degree in Tamil Literature. His M.Phil dissertation is on “Periyavachan Pillai’s Commentary text on Thirumalai” and he has done P.hD on “Periyavachan Pillai’s Commentary text on Thirunedundhandagam”. Currently he is working as an Assistant Professor at Sri S. Ramasamy Naidu Memorial College, Sattur.

Though he is an academician, he has also learned Sri Vaishnava religious tradition and theories from Professor Sri A. V. Arangarajan Swami of Madurai. His area of specialization is Kamba Ramayanam. He used to take continuing classes and is giving lectures on Kambaramaya all over TamilNadu.

speaker

Dr. Santanu Dey

Associate Professor, Department of History, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Howrah

Dr. Santanu Dey is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur Math. He did his graduation from Presidency College, Kolkata and his Masters, MPhil and PhD in Modern Indian History from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has been working on diverse aspects of Gaudiya Vaishnava history in pre-colonial and colonial Bengal. He is also a Research Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, Oxford University, UK from 2018 onwards.

speaker

Dr. V. Raman

Asst. Professor and Head, PG & Research, Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)

Dr.V. Raman has more than 25 years of experience in teaching and research and is the recipient of prestigious titles like Nyaya Vedanta Vidyanidhi, Sribhashyaratnamani, Sri Ramanuja Seva Sri and Vedanta Kesari. He has nurtured and produced 2 doctorates and is currently guiding 4 Ph.D. scholars. His in-depth knowledge in Vaishnavism has made him author many books and chapters on this deep rooted Siddhantam. He is a frequent and an eloquent speaker in AIR. He has presented more than 30 papers in seminars, conferences and workshops, adding another feather to his cap.

speaker

Dr. S. R. Sathyanaranayanan

Vice- Principal & Dean-Commerce & Management, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)

Prof. Sathyanarayanan S R, M.B.A., Ph.D.,presently working with Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College, (Autonomous), Srirangam , having more than 13 years of teaching and Research experience in the realm of Entrepreneurship, Banking and Finance, Organizational psychology, and Indian Culture ethos and Values. He presented papers in more than 100 articles in various National and International Conferences and published 32 articles in reputed national and international journals. He is also awarded by National and International agencies for the contribution to the field of management education. He serves as Visiting and Adjunct faculty to many higher educational Institutions in south India. He is also member of Many academic and professional Bodies. In addition to this he also Founder of Royadurgam Vedic Foundations- a public charitable trust to promote the vedic culture, Further Serving as Pradhana Arcaka Sri Vasedeva Swamy Temple, Esur.Also serving as Agama advisor to many temples .

speaker

Sri B. Nagarajan

Asst. Professor in Sanskrit, PG & Research, Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)

Currently working as Assistant Professor of Sanskrit at PG & Research Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College-SAASC (Autonomous), Trichy. Has a work experience of 13 years in the industry teaching Sanskrit language in school and college level; Has expertise in Jyotisha Sastra; Currently pursuing Doctorate in Samskrutam with Jyothisham as specialization; A certified Chittoor Sabha tutor; Has cleared SWAYYAM NPTEL Advance Level of Spoken Sanskrit course with a Gold Medal score; Has been an invited judge for a State Level Bhagavad Gita recitation completion in Chinmaya School, Coimbatore; Has conducted a One-Day workshop on ‘Communicative Sanskrit’ for students of Bishop Heber College, Trichy; Has published various articles in renowned journals (UGC-Care-listed) like Veda samskrita academy, kiranavali, samskrita bharathi, …. .ect

speaker

Sri T. M. Venkatesan

Guest Lecturer in Sanskrit, PG & Research, Department of Sanskrit, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)

Sri T.M.Venkatesan is from age old Shiromani @ Sirugamani Agraharam village which situated in the river banks of Kaveri at Tiruchirappalli city. The village was named because of natives who pursued Shiromani in Sanskrit and Sastric studies in olden days. Like those natives, he had a strong passion to study the Vedas. But he pursued the basic Sanskrit education of Prakshastri in patashala system. Because of his passion, he started the study of Yajur Veda in gurukula system from renowed scholar at the age of 18. Simultaneously he completed the Sastri and Acharya degree in Vyakarana. He got the degree of B.Ed. in Sanskrit also. He completed his M.Phil. Degree recently. Beside these, he had knowledge in Nyaya, Jyotisha, Ayurveda, Karnatic Music and Vedantha. He trained patashala vidyarthis for basic Sanskrit exams of chitoor also.

speaker

Vidwaan Sri V. S. Vijayaraganvan Acharya

Ex-Director, MSRVVP, Ujjain and Scholar in Nyaaya, Saahitya & Vedanta

Vidwaan Sri V. S. Vijayaraghavan Acharya, who has a masters in Sanskrit, has studied Nyaaya shastra under the lotus feet of Madhurantakam Veeraraghavachariar Swami, at Sreerangam, Grantha Chatustaya Kalakshaepam under various Acharyas: Sree Bhashyam, Nyaayasiddhanjanam, Nyaayaparishuddi, and Tattvamuktakalapam under the lotus feet of Vallipuram Madhavachariar Swami, Asthana Vidwan of Parakala Matham, Mysore.

He has also mastered Gita Bhashyam Rahasyatraya Saaram, Bhagavad Vishayam under the lotus feet of Vallipuram Madhavachariar Swami. He has many publications to his credit and has regularly participated in various Vidwat Sabhas for the last 15 years.

speaker

Dr. Rama. Kausalya

Founder, Marabu Foundation

Dr. Rama. Kausalya hails from Thillaisthanam situated along the River Cauvery in Thanjavur District. She comes from the exemplary Thillaisthanam Sishya Parampara of Saint Tyagaraja having learnt music from Sri Venkatasubramaniam who was the grandson of Narasimha Bhagavathar. She went on to learn under various stalwarts at the legendary Rajah's Music College in Tiruvaiyaru, the prestigious institution where she also serveed as the Principal till she retired in 2006. A Vainika, she underwent advanced tutoring from Sri Sivanandam and Smt.Sarada Sivanandam. A research scholar par excellence, Dr.Kausalya is a musicologist with a deep knowledge of music, dance, literature, culture and heritage. She has steered numerous research projects and documentaries for dance and music. Amongst her publications, her book - "Aalaya Vazhipattil Isai Karuvigal" - elaborating rare temple instruments that have been part of temple history is a noteworthy mention. Having been on the panels of prestigious cultural organisations across the country, Dr.Rama.Kausalya is the founder of Marabu Foundation which she passionately runs in Thillasithanam and spreads awareness of art and culture to the next generation

speaker

Ms. Madhuvanthi Badri

speaker

Srirangam V Mohanarangan

Author of Sri Ramanuja and Bhagavad Vishayam

Born and grew up in Srirangam, Srirangam V Mohanarangan developed an interest in philosophy and religion quite early in life. With Masters in Sociology, Mohanarangan is a retired clerk from the Indian Bank. As a poet himself, Sangam Tamil poetry and subsequent richness of Tamil absorbed his interest and thinking. He has published as many as 10 books in Tamil. Mohanarangan is ever devoted to saints like Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo. Vedic Studies, Philosophical schools of the World, and Poetics world over form his growing interests.

speaker

Dr. M. Pitchaimani

Principal, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College (Autonomous)

Dr. M. Pitchaimani, is the principal of Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous) possessing Doctorate for both Commerce and Management and has qualified SET & SLET examinations both in commerce and management twice. He has a total teaching experience of more than 22+ years. He has served the institutions in various roles as Assistant professor,HoD, Vice-Principal and Dean.

His eminence has organised more than 20 National ,International level seminars, conferences,workshops and has presented, participated in nearly 80+ seminars and conferences.

As an academician

he has published various papers in National and International peer reviewed listed journals.

He has held positions in University like senate member for 9 years ,chief superintendent and camp officer for University semester examinations,central valuation respectively. He has been the coordinator in various social clubs. He is the guiding force of many research scholars from Masters to Ph.D programs in the field of Commerce and Management .6 scholars got their Ph.D and currently 3 scholars are pursuing. He is a torch bearers of many academic awards and laurels.