The Open Learning for All talk series on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) continued through the month of July, covering a variety of topics.
Session 20 (9 July) With it being the auspicious day of Guru Purnima a few days earlier (June 5), also known as Vyasa Purnima, Prof. Gauri Mahulikar spoke on the Teaching and Learning Tradition in ancient India. The talk began with salutations to Adi Guru Siva, Badarayana Vyasa and Sankaracarya. Guru and Shishya concepts were explained, followed by the various methods of teaching like discourses, Q&A, experiments, self-study. The talk ended with her describing the relation between the teacher and the disciple.
Session 21 (16 July) Smt. Ruchita Rane, a young freelancer, dancer and researcher from Mumbai, made a presentation on dance and music traditions from ancient India. She traced these performing arts to the Samaveda and demonstrated some mudras depicting different Rasas in literature. Speaking on the Natyasastra, she threw more light on the types of instruments too.
Session 22 (23 July) Arthasastra was introduced as the Upaveda of the Atharvaveda by Dr. Vinayak Rajat Bhat. He started with the definition of Artha, the predecessors of Kautilya and then elaborated on the seven pillars of state—the Svami, Amatya, Janapada, Durga, Kosha, Danda and Mitra. Wherever possible, he related the Arthasastra concepts to current state affairs.
Session 23 (30 July) Dr. Bhat continued from the previous session on the Arthasastra. He discussed financial matters and the multiple meanings of wealth. The talk also covered the various sources of collecting wealth and the theory of taxation. The philosophy and logic behind taxation, remission in tax payments were also briefly discussed.