Workshop on the Rasa Theory, Manipal, India

February 13-17, 2017

Organized by

Centre for Religious Studies

Manipal Centre for Philosophy and Humanities

Manipal University, Manipal, India

Centre for Religious Studies invites applications for a week-long Workshop on the Rasa Theory from February 13-17, 2017 in Manipal.

Introduction

The Nāṭyaśāstra is an encyclopaedic treatise on art and aesthetics in pre-modern India and Abhinavabhāratī, the most widely studied commentary on it by Abhinavagupta (c. 950-1020 CE). They are important for they are the significant sources for understanding theatrics and dramaturgy, philosophy of arts and aesthetics, and performing arts. They interest scholars of Indian music, theatre, and literature, as well as intellectual historians and philologists. Their proper understanding is an extraordinary attempt towards the development of Indian intellectual history.

About the Workshop

There have been a number of attempts at editing and translating the text of the Nāṭyaśāstra and Abhinavabhāratī, including most recently Professor K.D. Tripathi's first volume of the Nāṭyaśāstra (2015) and a selection of translations included in Professor S. Pollock's Rasa Reader (2016). Despite a relatively long history of scholarly engagement, however, much about this tradition remains poorly understood, and the texts themselves remain very difficult to establish conclusively: both texts are technical, and to add to this, the Nāṭyaśāstra is available in widely-divergent forms in several families of manuscripts, while the Abhinavabhāratī is available only in a highly corrupt form in a single family of manuscripts.

This workshop will principally include a close textual reading of selections from the Rasādhyāya (chapter 6) of the Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharatamuni—the celebrated work on Indian aesthetics—together with the Abhinavabhāratī commentary of Abhinavagupta. The discussion in the Abhinavabhāratī includes a critical overview of the history of Indian aesthetics up to Abhinavagupta himself in the tenth century, including such thinkers as Śrī Śaṅkuka, Bhaṭṭa Lollaṭa, Bhaṭṭa Nāyaka, etc. The aim of the workshop is not only to familiarize the participants with the principal questions and debates in Indian aesthetics, but also to discuss the philological challenges posed by these texts with experts in the field. We will therefore work with parallel texts and manuscripts in our readings of the Abhinavabhāratī.

Deadline for Application: Wednesday 30 November, 2016

Program and Faculty

Professor C. Rajendran, University of Calicut, Thiruvananthapuram will be the principal instructor. We are also expecting a few other experts of Indian aesthetics to join us. The morning and afternoon sessions will include the readings of the text in Sanskrit followed by special lectures in the afternoon. The seminar will be held in English and readings will be circulated in advance. Special events like Yakṣagāna performance which is a native folk theatre form of Malenāḍu region in Karnataka, will be organized besides an afternoon excursion to the local Jaina temples in Karkala. There also will be opportunities for exploring the incredible richness and diversity of the region.

Selection Criteria

Advanced comprehension of Sanskrit language and the reading ability in Devanāgarī script is required. We seek interested research students and scholars from across India and abroad. The selection will be made based on the strength of the application. We cannot accept more than 25 participants and the priority will be given to the applications from research scholars in disciplines or with experience in Sanskrit, Philosophy, Aesthetics, Religion and Literature. There will be a participation fee for all participants. Applicants will be informed about the decision of selection after the deadline of application.

Location and Accommodations

The event will be hosted by Manipal University and its Centre for Religious Studies in the picturesque ocean-side state of Karnataka in south-western India. Scholars will be housed in international student residences. The space is wheelchair accessible. A registration fee will be charged that includes working lunch, tea/coffee with snacks and accommodation for five nights. Travel cost will not be reimbursed.

Registration Fees

Registration is mandatory for attending the workshop. If you are a member of Manipal University and want to attend the workshop, please get in touch with the coordinator to follow the process.

Regular Participants: Rs. 2000

Student Participants: Rs. 1500

Application Information

Applications should include the following, preferably sent as PDFs:
1. Description of research interests and their relevance to the topic of the workshop (max. 300 words)
2. Brief Curriculum Vitae / resume highlighting relevant skills, experience and training.

Applications should be sent to:

Mr Tapaswi H.M.

Co-convenor-Workshop on the Rasa Theory

<tapaswi.hm@gmail.com>

with a copy to:

Dr Mrinal Kaul

(Convenor-Workshop on the Rasa Theory)

Coordinator

Centre for Religious Studies

Manipal Centre for Philosophy and Humanities

Manipal University

email: <mrinalkaul81@gmail.com>