Available courses

Tell, Never Teach A Story

Everyone is a potential Storyteller. Through this course we will explore that potential and delve into the repository Indic stories.

In the traditional context of oral transmission of stories, the kathākārs, were respected as educators and entertainers, valued as much at the king’s court as the village square. A veritable ocean of stories provided for a rich cultural life. The workshop provides an opportunity to familiarize with this treasure trove of stories and the tradition of storytelling art.

In society today, with the advent of the film, TV, and social media, the storyteller’s role has modified but not diminished. In fact, storytelling finds application in the corporate world, marketing and HR, Self-Help speakers, TED Talks, INK Talks, and social media platforms from YouTube to podcasts.

The course aims to equip the participant with the essential skills to become an effective storyteller.  Through planned exercises, the course will introduce various genres from the vast source of Indic storytelling tradition.

Preksha (Critical Thinking) -

This is the course page for Preksha (Online Skill Development Programme) Course on Critical Thinking.

Critical Thinking - Preksha.pdfCritical Thinking - Preksha.pdf

Tell, Never Teach A Story: Connecting to Culture through Storytelling

Everyone is a potential Storyteller. In this course, the course faculty will play the role of a mentor and guide to develop and enhance that potential. In the traditional Indic context, a veritable ocean of stories are available. The kathākārs were respected as educators, and valued as much at the king’s court as the village square. In society today, with the advent of the film, TV, and social media, the storyteller’s role has modified but not diminished. In fact, storytelling finds application in the corporate wold, marketing and HR, Self-Help speakers, TED Talks, INK Talks, and social media platforms from YouTube to podcasts. The course aims to equip the participants with the essential skills to become an effective storyteller. Through planned exercises, the course will introduce various genres from the vast source of Indic storytelling tradition.

Indian Conceptions of Dharma and Niti

Dharma and Niti, though separate ontological concepts, have developed inseparable long standing inter-linkages due to the prominent role of ‘Raja’ found in Dharmasastras and Puranas. The course on fundamentals of Dharmasastra and Nitisastra in first part shall discuss major concepts of both the sastras and then later on address the issue of inter-linkages between these two concepts. Special emphasis shall be given in contrasting the characteristic features of Dharma and Niti to that of the modern conceptions of Law.

This course has been offered to introduce the students with the most interesting as well challenging subject called Dharma and Nīti. The course will explore the concept of dharma with regard to the Indian philosophies, and Sastras. This course will be like a stimulus to read the texts related to Dharma and Niti and to think about their adaptations to contemporary life, legal systems and theory of governance.

Course Objectives:

  1. to develop a conceptual understanding of Dharma and Niti, relying on the original texts and interpretations of scholars trained in Indian Knowledge Traditions.
  2. to discern the epistemology of human organisation models reflected in various shastras, especially Dharma Shastra.
  3. to develop a methodology for learning texts pertaining to Dharma and Niti, through discussions and deliberations in the classroom

Learning Outcomes:

The students will be able to -

  1. Explore the idea of Dharma and Nīti .
  2. Approach Sastras to understand Dharma and Nīti systematically while using the methods of interpretation.
  3. Develop an interdisciplinary understanding between the concept of Dharma and niti

श्रीमद्भगवगीताभाष्यम् -3

प्रस्थानत्रय्यामन्यतमं  प्रस्थानं  वर्तते  स्मृतिप्रस्थानम्। तच्च स्मृतिप्रस्थानं भागवगीता वर्तते। इयञ्च गीता अर्जुनं निमित्तीकृत्य सर्वजनसमुद्धरणाय भगवतोपदिष्टा समस्तवेदार्थसारसङ्ग्रहभूताऽपि विशिष्यवेदान्तार्थप्रधाना वर्तते इति विविधप्रमाणवचनैरवगम्यते।अस्योपरि श्रीमद्भगवत्पादशङ्कराचार्याणां भाष्यं यथावत् वेदान्तार्थावबोधकं राराजते दर्शनजगति। आनन्दगिर्याचार्यैस्तु ग्रन्थोऽयं त्रिषु काण्डेषु विभक्त:। तत्र पूर्वषट्कात्मकं पूर्वकाण्डं त्वम्पदार्थं विषयीकरोति, मध्यमकाण्डं तत्पदार्थं विषयीकरोति, अन्तिमषट्कं तु पदार्थयोरैक्यं वाक्यार्थमधिकरोति। अत्र द्वितीयवर्षस्य पाठ्यक्रमे चतुर्थे सत्रे ग्रन्थस्य चरमषट्कं पाठ्यत्वेन  निर्धारितम्।

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीताभाष्यम्-३.pdfश्रीमद्भगवद्गीताभाष्यम्-३.pdf

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता -1

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता -१ (1).pdfश्रीमद्भगवद्गीता -१ (1).pdf

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies deals with major environmental concerns that have been identified as important areas where  background information is essential for a better understanding of our environment. It stresses on a balanced view of issues that affect our daily lives. These issues are related to the conflict between existing ‘development’ strategies and the need for ‘environmental conservation’. Unlike most other textbooks, it not only makes the reader better informed on these concerns, but is expected to lead him or her towards positive action to improve the environment.

ENS Syllabus 2020.pdfENS Syllabus 2020.pdf

CSR

IKS OLA

Dharma - Perspectives from Ramayana

All courses