A Guest Lecture on Indian Knowlege System & Oral Traditions: An Overview

The Department of English and Cultural Studies recently hosted an insightful guest lecture by Dr. Mukulika Dattagupta on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), a session that resonated deeply with the interdisciplinary ethos of the MA in English with Digital Humanities program. By exploring the intersections of oral traditions, cultural narratives, and digital preservation, the lecture aligned perfectly with the program’s focus on merging literary studies with technology to reimagine knowledge dissemination in the 21st century.and encouraging students to explore contemporary issues through a literary lens.

Dr. Dattagupta’s discussion on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its emphasis on integrating indigenous knowledge into modern education underscored the relevance of IKS for students of Digital Humanities. Her critique of colonial education’s homogenizing effects directly connected to the program’s decolonial approach, encouraging students to question dominant narratives and leverage digital tools—such as translation projects and archival platforms—to amplify marginalized voices. For instance, her mention of the Sahitya Academy’s collaborative translation fellowships offered practical pathways for students to engage in digitizing oral traditions, a key component of the Digital Humanities curriculum.

The lecture’s focus on oral narratives as pedagogical tools also tied into the program’s exploration of storytelling in the digital age. Dr. Dattagupta’s examples—from Naga creation myths to Gond ecological tales—demonstrated how indigenous stories encode sustainable practices, a theme that intersects with the program’s broader goals of using technology to preserve cultural heritage. When students like Pillai Krishna Jaykumar inquired about research opportunities, her emphasis on digital archiving highlighted how MA candidates could apply their technical skills (e.g., database management, multimedia storytelling) to document and analyze these narratives, bridging gaps between academia and community knowledge.

Moreover, the session’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education (SDG 4) , reinforced the program’s commitment to socially engaged scholarship. Dr. Dattagupta’s call to “unlearn and relearn” colonial frameworks challenged faculty and students alike to design curricula and projects that prioritize inclusivity—a principle central to Digital Humanities. The Q&A discussion further illuminated this, as students grappled with questions like preserving cultural diversity through digital means, a challenge that mirrors the program’s focus on ethical technology use.

In essence, the lecture was not just an academic exercise but a clarion call for the MA in English with Digital Humanities community to harness technology as a force for cultural and environmental justice. By framing IKS as a living, evolving discourse—one that demands both critical engagement and innovative preservation—Dr. Dattagupta’s talk inspired students and faculty to rethink their roles as custodians of knowledge. As the department moves forward, this dialogue will undoubtedly shape coursework, research, and collaborations, ensuring that digital humanists remain at the forefront of safeguarding India’s pluralistic heritage for future generations.