INDICA

We Are An Institute For Indian Knowledge Systems. We Envision The Well-being Of Every Being. We Enable Seekers Fulfil Their Potential, Passion & Purpose.

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Master Class on Introduction to Yogasūtras

Few seats left!

A golden opportunity to explore the Yogasūtras of Patañjali through an immersive Master Class with Nrithya Jagannathan.

If you have been waiting to engage with the Yogasūtras beyond the surface, this is your opportunity.

Register now. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, reflect and go deeper.

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Before 15 August

Independence did not arrive suddenly on 15 August 1947. By then, generations had already paid a price for the idea of a free #Bhārata.

The story reaches back to 1817, when the #Pāikas of #Odisha rose under #BakshiJagabandhu. The Pāikas were farmers in times of peace and warriors when called upon to serve. #British policies had disrupted their lands, livelihoods and traditional rights. What began in #Khurda soon spread across Odisha, drawing people from different communities into the resistance. The struggle continued for several years. Shalini Mahapatra (@shalinimahapat3) recounts this remarkable chapter in ‘The Pāika Rebellion of 1817’ (https://t.co/QdXTzCT9tB ).

Four decades later, 1857 brought an uprising on a much larger scale. Soldiers, rulers and ordinary people rose against the East India Company. The revolt was eventually suppressed, yet its impact stayed with the British. The possibility of another uprising, especially within the Indian Army, became a lasting concern. Aneesh Gokhale (@authorAneesh) traces this continuing British anxiety in ‘How the Ghost of 1857 Haunted the British in India.’ (https://t.co/TFBSDym5SD ).

Then came Birsa Munda, a young tribal leader whose life gave another dimension to this resistance. He stood for his people, their land and their way of life. He was only 25 when he died in British custody. His life was brief, yet the reverence he inspired among his people gave him a place far beyond his years. Aditya Raj tells this extraordinary story in ‘From an Ordinary Tribal to Bhagwan.’ (https://t.co/iGmQz5LtkQ ).

These are three stories from different times. Innumerable such stories remain, each carrying a fragment of the long desire to see Bhārata free.

As 15 August approaches, perhaps we can pause before the familiar celebrations and remember some of those who stood before Independence was a reality. Their struggles belong to the story of our freedom too.

@indicatoday

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

The Art of Listening: Saathwik Yadavalli on Creativity, Consciousness and the Source

How does a thought arrive? Where does it come from, and how much of what we create can we really claim as our own? For Saathwik Yadavalli, these are not merely philosophical questions. They lie at the heart of his understanding of creativity and of the artist’s relationship with what eventually takes form through him.

“We play the medium in most cases,” he says. The distinction between source and medium is important to him. An artist may be the one through whom an idea takes shape, but that does not necessarily make him the absolute source of what emerges. When there is no distortion between what is received and what is expressed, the source and the medium can appear to merge. Yet there is still a difference. His analogy is characteristically simple: “How much ever ink you have in the pen, there will be a drop left in the refill. Everything won’t come out.”

Read full interview here:
https://t.co/jJP7StRNE1

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Interview with Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi

Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi , a distinguished scholar and academic leader, currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University. A passionate advocate for the revival and modernization of Sanskrit education, he has played a pivotal role in shaping national policies and institutional strategies for Sanskrit development.

INDICA's Master Classes are a collaboration with Central Sanskrit University in New Delhi.

Do read more on his thoughts on how Sanskrit education can be strengthened in India here: https://t.co/DwX6UIkHlm

Excerpt:

As someone involved in shaping the Vision & Roadmap for Sanskrit development, what were the most critical reforms recommended?

Prof Varakhedi: One of the cornerstone ideas was the use of Simple Standard Sanskrit across all levels of education, under the mission "Sanskrit Through Sanskrit". We also proposed a digital Sanskrit knowledge repository to store texts, commentaries, tools, and resources for wider access.

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Some journeys are undertaken by choice; others feel as though they begin with a call. At #Arunachala, that call becomes a journey through faith, trial, darśan and grace.

What begins as a longing to perform #Giripradakṣiṇa gradually becomes something deeper: a lesson in surrender, gratitude and seeing the Divine in the ordinary. Beneath the eternal presence of the sacred hill lies another calling too, to cherish and protect the kṣetra entrusted to us. A piece by @nisargara44

#Śiva #Darśan #Bhakti #PunyaKṣetra

https://t.co/De8tIGfcz6

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

The Journey Within

What if families could pause, listen deeply, and truly understand one another?

Join INDICA for a two-day mindfulness retreat for parents and teenagers, exploring communication, emotional awareness, mindful movement, meditation, technology and attention, conflict resolution, and meaningful family rituals.

28–30 August 2026
Indica Gurukulam @ Ritambhara, Bengaluru
Facilitated by Sri Nitesh Batra, Founder – The Mindful Initiative & Ashtanga Yoga Sadhna

A space to understand ourselves, understand each other, and grow together—with greater awareness, compassion and connection.

Open to parents, children, aspiring parents and anyone wishing to understand these relationships more deeply.

📷 Register now: [https://t.co/LZrEgqm6Qf](https://t.co/LZrEgqm6Qf)

#INDICA #TheJourneyWithin #Mindfulness #Parenting #Teenagers #FamilyWellbeing #Yoga #Meditation #Bengaluru #Retreat

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

The Nation As The Divine Mother: A Śākta Reading of Vande Mataram

Sun, Aug 16
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (IST)

The talk by Dr Swastik Banerjee shall discuss Vande Mataram through the philosophical lens of the Śākta tradition, exploring its vision of the Motherland as the Divine Mother. It shall examine the interrelationship of Vīra Bhakti, and Śaraṇāgati, showing how these culminate in a sacred call to action.

Register here: https://t.co/aPcic6Q8id

@ONENESS_FEST

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Understanding the Complexity of Indian Texts through Tantrayukti

INDICA, in collaboration with Central Sanskrit University, recently held a two-day Master Class on Tantrayukti with Prof. M. Jayaraman.

Speaking about her experience, Ms. Sneha Rajput shares how the study of Tantrayukti offers a powerful framework to understand and substantiate the complexity, structure and meaning embedded in Indian texts.

Watch her share her reflections on the Master Class.

Also please explore and engage with the Introduction to  Yogasūtras Master Class turns by Smt Nrithya Jagannathan later this month.

Register here: https://t.co/1v4L32H5ou

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

In this insightful presentation, Śrī Shankara Bharadwaj Khandavalli, Co-founder of Hindupedia and independent scholar with IKS, explores the architecture of Śāstras through a Four-Level View — encompassing Worldview, Doctrine, Institutional Architecture, and Lived Reality.

The talk examines how Dharmic texts - Śruti, Dharmaśāstra, Arthaśāstra, and Nītiśāstra - form an interconnected system that evolves organically with time (deśa-kāla), unlike modern constitutional frameworks that require revolutions for renewal.

Through this comparative lens, the session reveals how Bharatiya knowledge systems embody a revolution-free, evolvable model of governance and ethics, harmonizing eternal principles with contextual adaptability.

A must-watch for those interested in system design, Indian Knowledge Systems, political philosophy, and the architecture of Dharmic thought.

Full talk here: ​https://t.co/bloEFJQE6k

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

When Music Becomes Upāsana

What lies beneath the words of Muthuswami Dikshitar’s kritis?

In a conversation with Dr. Shruti Krishna Bhat, we explore the philosophical and textual worlds embedded in his compositions - where music intersects with Sri Vidya, astrology, astronomy, mantra, Sanskrit grammar and ritual.

A scholar of Indian epistemology, consciousness, philosophy of mind, logic and aesthetics, Dr. Bhat brings a distinctive philosophical lens to Dikshitar’s work. Her research asks how knowledge is experienced, how consciousness is understood, and what happens to the sense of self in states such as suṣupti and rasa. This inquiry leads naturally to her understanding of Dikshitar not merely as a composer, but as an Upāsaka, for whom music could become a path of inner transformation.

From Karma Sākṣī and Śurpa-āsana to the hidden astrological and Sri Vidya references within his kritis, the conversation reveals how much lies beneath the familiar melodies.

Read the full conversation to enter the deeper world of Dikshitar’s music.

https://t.co/22F4FxGslW

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

The Nilgiris Writing Retreat on Crafting Page-Turning Fiction

September 25-27

Write a story that stays with the reader

What We Will Explore

Research That Brings Stories Alive

Learn to research with purpose—finding meaningful sources, uncovering details that add authenticity, and weaving research naturally into historical, contemporary, crime, romance, speculative, or literary fiction.

Characters Who Drive the Story

Create memorable characters with layered motivations, internal conflicts, distinctive voices, and relationships that generate emotional tension and move the story forward.

Building a Story Readers Cannot Put Down
Understand the architecture beneath a compelling plot. Explore conflict, stakes, pacing, and scene design, while learning to identify and strengthen structural weaknesses in your manuscript.

From Manuscript to Publication

Navigate the publishing journey—from preparing a submission-ready manuscript and understanding what editors seek to approaching literary agents and exploring traditional and alternative publishing pathways.

A Retreat Built Around Your Story

This is a learn-by-doing retreat. Through guided writing exercises, editorial worksheets, manuscript clinics, peer discussions, and dedicated writing time, every session is designed to help you work through the challenges in your own manuscript.

A Small, Supportive Writing Community

With limited participation, the retreat offers meaningful interaction, individual attention, and the opportunity to connect with fellow writers who share a serious commitment to their craft.

Register Here:
https://t.co/T55Yb0Hl2Z

@HSriniv12 @Sai_swaroopa

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Swami Vivekananda came to the West as a monk, but the moment he began to speak, the battle lines were drawn. Behind him stood the civilisation of #Bhārata; before him, a world that had long been taught to misunderstand India.
He fought with neither sword nor anger, but with a fearless intellect, unshakable dignity and the power of truth. This is the opening chapter of how a young monk entered the arena and made the West listen. A piece by Somenath Mukherjee

#SwamiVivekananda #ReligiousParliament #Chicago

@indicatoday

https://t.co/dFWt5eiwtG

[Arunima Gupta @ArunimaGupta03]

Craft communicates in more ways than one.

"For centuries, India's cultural interactions with the world included the exchange of craft techniques, styles & design," says @DhirSuket.

On #nationalhandloomday, I revisit my interview with him for @IndicaOrg.

https://t.co/lIxEKxccId

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Celebrating India's Living Textile Heritage on National Handloom Day

On the occasion of National Handloom Day, INDICA reaffirms its commitment to preserving, documenting, and celebrating India's living knowledge traditions.

Through conversations such as: A Journey of Indian Textiles Through Ages," (Co-curated by @shefvaidya and this clip features dancer Sonal Mansingh ji) INDICA seeks to bring to light the profound civilizational wisdom embedded in India's handloom and textile heritage - where every weave, motif, and natural dye reflects centuries of artistic excellence, ecological sensitivity, and spiritual thought.

These dialogues are part of INDICA's larger mission to create platforms where traditional knowledge holders, scholars, artisans, and practitioners come together to share, preserve, and reimagine India's intellectual and cultural legacy for contemporary audiences.

INDICA is also proud to support the research of Shri Madan Meena, whose work documents India's diverse textile traditions, indigenous dyeing practices, weaving philosophies, and regional craft lineages. Such research plays a vital role in safeguarding knowledge that is often transmitted orally and ensuring that these traditions remain accessible to future generations.

Every handloom we choose strengthens not just a livelihood, but an unbroken civilizational thread woven across millennia.

Watch full video here: https://t.co/7JjVeKCDv5

@sonal_mansingh @ShefVaidya

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Celebrating India's Living Textile Heritage on National Handloom Day

On the occasion of National Handloom Day, INDICA reaffirms its commitment to preserving, documenting, and celebrating India's living knowledge traditions.

Through conversations such as: A Journey of Indian Textiles Through Ages," (Co-curated by @shefvaidya and this clip features dancer Sonal Mansingh ji) INDICA seeks to bring to light the profound civilizational wisdom embedded in India's handloom and textile heritage - where every weave, motif, and natural dye reflects centuries of artistic excellence, ecological sensitivity, and spiritual thought.

These dialogues are part of INDICA's larger mission to create platforms where traditional knowledge holders, scholars, artisans, and practitioners come together to share, preserve, and reimagine India's intellectual and cultural legacy for contemporary audiences.

INDICA is also proud to support the research of Shri Madan Meena, whose work documents India's diverse textile traditions, indigenous dyeing practices, weaving philosophies, and regional craft lineages. Such research plays a vital role in safeguarding knowledge that is often transmitted orally and ensuring that these traditions remain accessible to future generations.

Every handloom we choose strengthens not just a livelihood, but an unbroken civilizational thread woven across millennia.

Watch full video here: https://t.co/7JjVeKCDv5

@sonal_mansingh @ShefVaidya

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

At Guru Utsava 2026, Shri Hari Vadlamani, Founder of INDICA, shared a vision for strengthening India's Guru–Śiṣya Paramparā and Indian Knowledge Systems.

In his speech, he proposed:

🔸 National recognition of Guru Purnima as Guru's Day, allowing institutions to celebrate it alongside Teachers' Day.
🔸 The establishment of a Maha Gurukulam near Hyderabad to train teachers across Indian Knowledge Systems.
🔸 A World IKS Congress to unite scholars, practitioners, institutions, and seekers from around the world.

His address called for moving beyond celebration to building institutions that preserve, nurture, and transmit Bharat's living knowledge traditions for generations to come.

Watch his speech here:

https://t.co/MCeqLbypwH

#GuruUtsava2026 #GuruPurnima #INDICA #IndianKnowledgeSystems #GuruShishyaParampara Bharat

[INDICA @IndicaOrg]

Every landscape carries a visible story and a hidden one. Chikkamagaluru's visible story is told through coffee estates, mist-laden hills and breathtaking vistas. Its hidden story lives in ancient temples, sacred legends, living worship and the brilliance of #Hoysala craftsmanship.

With the eye of a traveller and the heart of a pilgrim, author Pradeep Krishnan journeys beyond the familiar to reveal a land where every shrine opens another window into the many layers of #Bhārata.

#CoffeeEstates #Chikkamagaluru #BabaBudhangiri Karnataka

https://t.co/3tZPKNSBjb

@indicatoday