Vedic Threads | Self paced
Kalā, Rasa and Rasika
The Arts & The Lovers
This session explores the relationship between kalā (art or skill), rasa (emotional essence), and rasika (the one who experiences it), presenting art as a pathway to self-transformation. Navneet Raman emphasizes that true engagement with art involves dissolving the ego and becoming fully immersed in the experience, where the artist and observer merge. Through consistent practice and refinement, one evolves from creating or observing art to embodying it. The session highlights that life itself is an expression of kalā, and through openness, humility, and devotion, one can cultivate deeper sensitivity, joy, and connection with the world.
Guest Instructor
Navneet Raman
Navneet Raman is a cultural preservationist and arts patron from a historic Varanasi family deeply rooted in India’s educational and cultural legacy. For over two decades, he has worked to sustain and evolve the city’s heritage through initiatives in art, education, and conservation. He is the founder of Kriti Gallery and Artist Residency, co-founder of the Banaras Cultural Foundation, and Creative Director of the Banaras Museum of Contemporary Art. His work bridges traditional crafts and contemporary art, supporting global exhibitions and artisans. Through educational programs and cultural collaborations, he continues to foster interdisciplinary learning and preserve Varanasi’s living heritage.
Kalā, Rasa and Rasika
The Arts & The Lovers with Navneet Raman
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to kalā (arts/skills) as both creative expression and essential life practices
- Understanding rasa (emotional essence or flavor) as the experience evoked through art
- Exploration of rasika (the connoisseur or experiencer of rasa)
- Insight into the interdependence of artist, art, and audience in creating meaning
- The role of guru as a guide to perceiving the divine through art and life
- Connection between kalā and everyday life, from practical skills to refined arts
- The idea of losing the ego/self in the experience of rasa
- Reflection on practice (sādhana) as a path to becoming a true rasika
- Understanding the relationship between karma, intention, and artistic expression
Learning Objectives:
- Define kalā, rasa, and rasika
- Understand the relationship between art, experience, and the perceiver
- Reflect on how engagement with art can become a path of self-transformation and awareness
Session 2
Reflections & Integration with the Instructors
Topics Covered:
- Continuation of exploration of kalā, rasa, and rasika from the previous session
- Deepening understanding of the 16 kalās of Lord Krishna and their relation to the broader 64 kalās
- Reflection on the evolution and refinement of skills as a spiritual journey
- Exploration of śraddhā (faith) and sandeha (doubt) in the learning process
- Distinction between superficial questioning and sincere, inquiry-driven seeking
- The role of music and bhajan in transmitting rasa and devotion
- Insights into living traditions of Banaras, where wisdom is embedded in daily life
- Emphasis on intentional practice and inner transformation through engagement with kalā
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the relationship between the 16 and 64 kalās and their symbolic significance
- Reflect on the role of faith (śraddhā) and inquiry in the process of learning and refinement
- Explore how practice of kalā can lead to deeper self-awareness and spiritual growth
About Vedic Threads
Every Indian wisdom tradition carries within it a vast web of ideas, stories, and living knowledge. Vedic Threads is an invitation to explore that web — one theme at a time, in the company of lifelong practitioners and sincere seekers from around the world. Join hosts Drs. Ramkumar and Claudia Welch and Navneet Raman, and our distinguished guest instructors, for conversations that deepen your understanding of Ayurveda, yoga, and the traditions they emerge from.
