Organised by the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, Chanakya University, the Symposium on Indian Astronomy and Mathematics: Methods, Texts, and Global Perspectives was held on 27 February 2026, bringing together faculty members, students, and research scholars for a deeply engaging intellectual exchange.
The symposium featured three distinguished speakers whose life-long engagement with Indian knowledge traditions was evident not only in the depth of their scholarship but also in the clarity and passion with which they shared it. Padma Shree awardee – Prof. M. D. Srinivas delivered a compelling talk on “Seminal Contributions of the Kerala School of Astronomy and Mathematics,” tracing the sophistication of mathematical and astronomical reasoning that emerged from this tradition and its significance in the global history of science. Dr. Shylaja B. S. spoke on “Celestial Knowledge in Everyday Life: Navigation, Architecture, and Maritime Practices,” illuminating how astronomical understanding was seamlessly woven into lived practices, revealing science not as abstraction but as an integral part of daily life. The symposium concluded with an engaging session by Prof. Bill M. Mak, titled “The Origin of Zero: Debates, Discoveries, and Hands-On Exploration,” which invited participants into the intellectual debates surrounding one of the most transformative ideas in the history of mathematics.
The audience’s active participation transformed the symposium into an intense churning of knowledge—questions, reflections, and discussions flowed freely, fostering collective learning and growth. What resonated most strongly was the visible life-long dedication of the speakers to scholarship, inquiry, and teaching. Their journeys stood as powerful reminders that knowledge deepens through sustained engagement, humility, and dialogue—values that continue to inspire generations of learners and researchers alike.
