About the Speaker
Dr Shakuntala Gawde, Associate Professor and former Head of the Department of Sanskrit at the University of Mumbai, stands as a distinguished figure in Sanskrit scholarship, seamlessly blending the roles of an accomplished academician, researcher, and educator. With a dedicated tenure spanning over a decade, her profound commitment to the discipline has manifested in a tapestry of accomplishments that extend across teaching, research, and collaborative projects.
About the Event
Dr Shakuntala Gawde was invited to deliver a special guest lecture on “Narrative Analysis of Bhagavata Purana” on 6th April 2026 at the IKS Centre, Chanakya University, Bangalore. During her lecture, she examined the rich tradition of Indian narrative literature, highlighting its diverse forms, including myths, legends, fables, poetry, historical narratives, and performing and visual arts such as music, dance, and painting.
She introduced the fundamental concepts of narratology by drawing upon both Indian and Western narrative traditions. Dr Gawde presented an in-depth analysis of the Bhagavata Purana’s overarching narrative framework and demonstrated interpretive methods by examining selected narratives. She also outlined a structured approach for understanding and analysing Puranic narratives.
The lecture was based on her book, “Narrative Analysis of Bhagavata Purana, Selected Episodes from the Tenth Skandha”, published by Dev Publishers, New Delhi. It attracted students and faculty members from various academic disciplines, encouraging meaningful interdisciplinary discussions and engagement.
