Rajgir: Nalanda University in Rajgir, in collaboration with the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, hosted the sixth edition of its cultural dialogue series Kala Samvad on Friday, focusing on “Bhagavad Gītā and Nāṭyaśāstra: Cultural Heritage of Humanity.”
The session, chaired by Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, examined the shared philosophical and aesthetic frameworks of the two classical texts. “The Bhāva that arises from Samādhi ultimately finds its consummation in Rasa,” Dr Purecha observed while drawing parallels between the Gītā and the Nāṭyaśāstra.
Prof Godavarisha Mishra, Dean of the School of Buddhist Studies at Nalanda University, spoke on “The Eternal Living Theatre: The Bhagavad Gītā in the Vision of Abhinavagupta,” interpreting the Gītā as a living dialogue and dramatic text. Praveen Kumar ‘Gunjan’, Director of the National School of Drama in Varanasi, addressed the theme of experimentation in Nāṭyaśāstra and its links to contemporary theatre. Sanjay Upadhyay of Nirmaan Kala Manch, Patna, concluded with a lecture-demonstration on Dhruva Gaan, bringing to life the vibrancy of theatrical music.
Students, faculty, researchers, and local art enthusiasts filled the university’s mini auditorium for the event, which sought to connect India’s classical heritage to present-day performance and scholarship.
