The School of Liberal Arts organized a special event on September 30, 2025, in the UCN Seminar Hall, bringing together two enriching celebrations: a workshop on “From Text to Performance: Experiencing Rasa through Natyashastra” and a cultural program by the ELTAI Club in honor of International Translation Day.
The afternoon began with the ceremonial lamp lighting by Prof. (Dr.) Shalini Vohra, Director, School of Liberal Arts, and the Guest of Honour, Dr. Varsha Thakur, Executive Director of Kalamanach, Dehradun. Ms. Nandini Kumar and Mrs. Rati Sood welcomed the gathering and introduced the workshop’s objectives—to experience rasa as a living aesthetic, beyond theory.
Dr. Varsha, an accomplished theatre professional and educator, captivated the audience with her insightful explanation of Natyashastra and the Nine Rasas. To translate this knowledge into practice, she led participants through three powerful exercises: the first invited everyone to release joy and laughter, the second helped them let go of stress and worries, and the third guided them into quiet reflection and meditation. In the concluding interaction, Dr. Varsha answered questions from students and encouraged the audience to apply rasa, Indic philosophy, and reflective skills in daily life.
Following this inspiring session, the ELTAI Club presented an engaging program highlighting the importance of Translation Studies, in keeping with the observance of International Translation Day. The event featured lively audience activities, where participants shared memorable quotations from their own languages emphasizing the beauty of linguistic diversity, presented entertaining skits, and a colourful cosplay presentation.
The program concluded on a festive note as Dr. Varsha Thakur felicitated the best cosplay performances, applauding the creativity and cultural spirit of the participants. Together, the workshop and Translation Day program offered a unique blend of intellectual depth, cultural appreciation, and artistic expression.
