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!
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Beauty in ScienceIs science beautiful? If we think of “beauty” as something pleasing to our senses and our spirit, science is beautiful. Many aspects of science are beautiful! The joy of discovery is beautiful, as are some outputs of science such as images and waveforms. At its heart, science is a human endeavor, and the friendships made in the pursuit of science, the fun of traveling to conferences, presenting our work, and the immersion in science are all sources of beauty. There is beauty in curiosity, wonder, and order, and in the pursuit of science itself. What aspects of science are beautiful to you?
Workshop at NYU Humanistic Medicine Program on Dance and ScienceIn November 202, I will be presenting a workshop with the Humanistic Medicine Program at New York University Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSOM) entitled "Dance and Science". The workshops organized by the Humanistic Medicine program explore the intersections between medicine and the humanities, arts, and social sciences. My workshop will give participants an opportunity to learn more about Bharatanatyam, my work at the intersection of arts and neuroscience (Vichaar), caregiving through the arts and sciences, and how the arts can be used as a connection between science and society. Beauty in science, and science in the arts (post 1) Is science beautiful? We typically do not associate science with beauty, the same way we don’t associate the arts (specifically dance) with science. Is this truly the case? Over the next few posts, I will make a case for beauty in many if not most aspects of science. We will also explore the scientific and systematic aspects of Bharatanatyam. Do you think science is beautiful, and that the arts have a scientific basis to them? Human hand evolution and hastas (continued)In a previous post, we saw that there may be something very specific and unique about human hands, and how our hands and brains work together. We also looked at hand evolution, which evolved perhaps first for self-defense, and then for gesturing and communicating. Our hands are incredible feats of nature - we are able to pick soft rose flower petals, play jump rope, embroider and crochet, and lift heavy weights. We can also feel with our hands - we are able to perceive the difference between hot tea and cold water, sandpaper and silk, a peach, and a nectarine. In fact, the Sanskrit word “Kar” (for hand) is also the word for “doing” or “making”. Hence, our hands are culturally and linguistically tied to creation, to the physical act of making things and making ideas through gestures. Bharatanatyam is distinguished in the ways it precisely and systematically uses hand gestures for aesthetics and communication. The Abhinaya Darpana [1] describes and systematizes a large number of gestures (hastas) and symbols for the Devas (Gods), the planets, famous emperors, seven oceans, famous rivers, trees, animals, flying creatures, and water creatures. These hastas also give us an insight into the geography of India at the time of writing the texts, as there are references to local vegetation and animals; in this way, the study of the hastas is also an in-depth study of history and geography. Through Bharatanatyam and its use of hastas, history is being stored in our hands and dance. Literature cited:
Left: Original Roti (OG Roti) at Animal Help Foundation. Picture credit: Eva Marie Veroeveren
Right: A hasta prescribed in the Abhinaya Darpana [1] called "Madhya-Pataka" where the little finger of the Pataka is bent. This hasta is used to symbolize a dog. |
About SlokaMy name is Sloka. I am a neuroscientist and Bharatanatyam dancer; you can find more about me here. Archives
May 2024
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