Two-day workshop on Indian Psychology

August 7 and 8, 2024

A two-day workshop on Indian Psychology was held on August 7 and 8, 2024, organized by the Centre for Study of Cultures (CSC) in collaboration with the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS). Dr. Kundan Singh, a Professor at the Hindu University of America, served as the distinguished speaker for the event, and he was introduced by Prof. M.S. Chaitra, Director of CSC. The workshop centered on Dr. Singh’s articles related to Indian Psychology. It followed a “loud reading” format, where participants read the articles aloud, followed by discussions on the challenges of applying Western psychological theories to the Indian context. The conversations emphasized how fundamental concepts in Western psychology, particularly regarding the psyche, often become distorted when used to analyze Indian texts and experiences. Dr. Singh argued that these theories fail to adequately capture the nuances of Indian thought, leading to misinterpretations and a limited understanding of Indian culture and psychology. The workshop provided an in-depth examination of the incompatibility between Western psychological frameworks and Indian knowledge systems. By critiquing these Western theories, Dr. Singh and the participants shed light on the need for more culturally relevant approaches in understanding Indian psychological concepts. This workshop aimed to encourage scholars and students to rethink the use of Western models in Indian contexts and to explore Indian Psychology on its own terms. The event highlighted the importance of decolonizing psychological studies and fostering a more accurate representation of Indian thought and practices in academic discourse. It was attended by 15 research scholars and faculty from CIKS and CSC.