Knowledge Dialogues --
A Convention on Knowledge in Society.
Kuvempu University, 20-22 Feb 2025
Knowledge in Society - The Foundation for an Equitable and Just Society
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Working Group: Avinash Jha(Convener), J K Suresh, R.Goswami, A Shanmukha, Meti Mallikarjuna, Sunil Sahasrabudhey
The term ‘Knowledge’ today is used to refer to formal and specialized knowledge which is transmitted and learnt in educational institutions like schools, colleges and universities and produced in research institutes. The existence of knowledge amongst ordinary people is considered knowledge only in a qualified sense – traditional knowledge, folk knowledge, local knowledge etc. Even when acknowledged, such knowledge in society is explained away as aphorisms and techniques learnt by imitation, rote, practice, or as unscientific folk wisdom etc. However, this knowledge in society continues to provide sustenance to a majority of ‘uneducated’ Indians by equipping them to serve large numbers of people in areas as diverse as indigenous medicine, agriculture, transport, construction, restaurants and food etc. Management of enterprises based on small and very small capital is an important part of knowledge in society. So is the knowledge that is evident in life patterns and aesthetic activities of ordinary people.
Moving away from the paradigm which considers ‘science’ and its cognates as knowledge per se and the rest as knowledge in an inferior sense, this session seeks to stress the significance and vitality of knowledge in society which might have its own organizing principles for acquiring, renewing and practicing knowledge in ways not always anticipated by the practitioners of formal and specialized knowledge.
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Click here for more details.
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Session-1 Program
Knowledge in Society: The Foundation for an Equitable and Just Society
11.00 AM-- 1.00 PM, Thu. 20th Feb.2025
Moderator:
Prof. G. Sivaramakrishnan, Bangalore University (Retd.)
Speakers:
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1. Shri. Sunil Sahasrabudhey, Vidya Ashram, DKS Journal; Formerly with Gandhian Institute of Studies, Varanasi.
Topic: A Statement on Lokavidya - The Knowledge in Society
“Knowledge in society, with the people, is called lokavidya. It cannot be held or stored in a book, caste, village, family, religion, library, university or computer. It is ‘living knowledge’ with the people.”
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2. Prof. Rajaram Hegde, Visiting Professor, Chankya University, Bengaluru.Former Professor of History and Archeology, Kuvempu University.
Topic: Configuration of Learning and Indian Knowledge System: What has gone wrong in our understanding
“In his theoretical framework, Balagangadhara conceives of cultures as configurations of learning and posits a hypothesis that India and the West embody distinct learning configurations. According to this framework, the Western configuration prioritizes theoretical knowledge, while the Indian configuration is predominated by practical or performative knowledge. Indian rituals and traditional learning methods predominantly rely on this practical knowledge. Consequently, normative texts are notably absent in Indian traditions, where practices are transmitted across generations through mimetic learning. In this context, stories, rather than theories, play a pivotal role in instructing individuals on how to devise new actions.”
3. Prof. Madhulika Banerjee, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi.
Topic: Pluriversal Knowledges as a Frame for Understanding Knowledge in Society
“...power resides not only in the dominant spaces of society, but outside of it, in myriad forms. And knowledge has been generated, innovated upon and practised by people in those spaces in every kind of society. Either in the context of oppressive dominant structures, or in maintaining local sanctity, the role of collective action from these spaces provides subversive power.”
4. Prof. Sasidharan P K, Sankara University, Kalady, Kerala
Topic: Exploring Buddhist Symbolism of Poothara Practices (Altar for Floral Tributes) in Kalari
“The present attempt is to trace some pathways for connecting poothara practices, (the seven-tiered conical structure meant for floral tributes) with Buddhist spirituality of votive-stupa. As prevails in North Kerala tradition of Kalari in South India, the poothara structure is erected at the south-west corner of Kalari hall in the east-west direction, meant for physical training. Construction of pathways becomes an imperative for connecting Buddhism with the spirituality of kalarividya (self-defence practice) tradition, especially in the context of apparent lack of any readily available direct or substantial evidence either from the side of Buddhism or from that of the Kalari tradition to show their interconnections.”
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