The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences hosted Palimpsest: A Liberal Arts and Sciences Conclave on 27 April 2026. Conceived as a dynamic academic and cultural platform, the conclave brought together diverse disciplinary perspectives to foster dialogue, critical inquiry, and creative engagement around the evolving role of the liberal arts in contemporary society.

 

The event commenced with an inaugural session featuring distinguished guests Mr Abhaya Simha, National Award-winning filmmaker, and Ms Manasi Prasad, Indian vocalist. Addressing the audience, Mr Simha reflected on emerging challenges in content creation and filmmaking, while Ms Prasad emphasised the importance of integrating theory and practice through music, highlighting the role of liberal arts education in enabling meaningful experiential learning.

 

A key highlight of the conclave was the panel discussion titled “Thinking, Performing, Engaging: Liberal Arts and Sciences in Contemporary Society.” The session brought together an interdisciplinary panel comprising Dr Vasanth Kiran, Dr Vidya Srikanth, Dr Pritha Sanyal, Ms Anjali Urs, and Ms Alvira Asif—experts from performing arts, literature, economics, and architecture—offering rich interdisciplinary insights. The discussion examined the challenges of liberal arts education in the era of AI intervention, while underscoring the need to sustain creativity, critical thinking, and humanistic inquiry in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

 

The conclave also featured a series of interactive workshops that enriched the participant experience. A session on music therapy, conducted by Mr Sanak Atreya and Dr Sowmya Atreya from Svarakshema, explored the therapeutic and holistic potential of music in healing the mind and body. Meanwhile, a theatre workshop led by Mr Sudhanva A K provided an engaging space for young artists to explore performance as a medium of expression and critical reflection.

 

Complementing the academic sessions, the conclave hosted a range of vibrant student-led activities, including an RJ Hunt in collaboration with Radio City 91.1 FM. The event was judged by RJ Nikitha Kini from Radio City 91.1 FM, adding industry perspective and professional engagement. Other activities, such as a fashion show and “Mad Ads”, further encouraged creativity, participation, and experiential learning beyond the classroom.

 

With enthusiastic participation from over 200 registered attendees, Palimpsest emerged as a vibrant platform reaffirming the significance of liberal arts education as a multidisciplinary and evolving field. The conclave successfully created a space for meaningful dialogue, innovation, and exploration across disciplines.