PhD advisor Dr. David MottMy PhD advisor Dr. David Mott was one of the first people to teach me how to think like a scientist, read and critique scientific papers, and form hypotheses. In addition to learning electrophysiology from him, I also learned tons about classic rock. When I came to the US from India, I was not very familiar with Western music, and performing long experiments in the lab with music that was recommended to me by Dr. Mott still makes me think of the afternoons and evenings in the lab. To this day, listening to a song on the radio by the Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin takes me back to the lab at University of South Carolina School of Medicine Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience. His interest in each thing around him continues to be a source of inspiration for me, many years after having worked with him.
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The Humanistic Aspects of the Arts and the SciencesThe humanistic aspects of the arts and the sciences are evident in the people who make the work happen, and the spaces and institutions where this work takes place. In my scientific and artistic disciplines, I have been privileged to learn from so many wonderful mentors and gurus. The arts and sciences are also human-oriented disciplines, with the work done by people, hopefully to positively impact other people. In addition to the role of gurus and mentors, there is an important role of peers and colleagues as well. Over the next few posts, I will highlight my gurus and talk about the things they have taught me in the arts and sciences, and many allied lessons. I talk about my graduate advisor Dr. David Mott, Dr. Gerardo Piroli for science, and Smt. Maheshwari Nagarajan ("Amma") and Smt. Vanitha Jayan ("Didi") for dance. The arts as a link between Science and Society - three specific ways!In a previous post, I proposed that the arts may be a way to reduce disconnects between science and society, and that "The arts and sciences can help bring people together, help develop a common vocabulary and a common language by which people can understand the world around us."
The sciences and the arts are typically thought of as two disparate disciplines with little overlap. However, a growing field of study is exploring these two disciplines as having more in common with one another than previously appreciated. My work under the umbrella of Vichaar (Sanskrit for “thought” or “perception”) explores the convergence between Bharatanatyam and neuroscience. In this post, I propose three potential aspects of the arts when it comes to being a bridge between the sciences and society:
The ramifications of this approach are immense: a greater science literacy in non-scientists, an appreciation of the beauty that exists in the doing and thinking of science, an increase in the relevance to the concerns of the larger culture because of greater curiosity and engagement on the part of the public, and increased funding for science as we remove it from the trappings of jargon. On a related matter, I wonder if the arts can be used as a way for society to communicate with science. Presenting work for "Mosaic in Medicine" curated by The Aseemkala InitiativeI am so excited to present work for Mosaic in Medicine - an event curated by The Aseemkala Initiative on Saturday, Dec 9 at 2 pm for the International Human Rights Arts Festival at The Tank, NYC.
The Aseemkala Initiative is featured in the 2023 International Human Rights Art Festival as one of 54 performances in this week long event! Mosaic in Medicine is a collection of pieces narrating lived embodied experiences of how the body is judged, loved, recovers, and changes. Original choreography by the artists of Aseemkala and introduced by the artists themselves! My work explores age and aging through dance. Through my piece called īkṣaṇa (Sanskrit for “sight” but also for “care” or “looking after”), I will depict themes of caregiving through dance. Mentors, gurus, and institutions of higher learning in the arts and the sciencesThe in-depth, systematic study of the sciences and the arts requires and depends on the guidance of a teacher or a गुरु (guru; literally meaning "venerable" or "respectable"), most often in an institute of higher learning. In addition to knowledge and expertise, a guru also sets the student on a path to attaining knowledge on their own.
In my science and dance worlds, I have benefitted from the time, expertise, and grace of many gurus who have taught me so much not only about the relevant disciplines, but also the approach of being an independent scientist, dancer, and scholar. Over the next several posts, I will highlight my gurus, and talk to them about how they view teaching and pedagogy! |
About SlokaMy name is Sloka. I am a neuroscientist and Bharatanatyam dancer; you can find more about me here. Archives
April 2024
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