Dr. Shakuntala Gawde presented a paper titled “Rasāsvāda as a Transcendental Experience: With Special Reference to Abhinavagupta” at the International Conference on Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics, held on 15–16 June 2026. The conference was organized by the Prof. Geeta Ramana Memorial Research Scholars’ Forum, Department of Philosophy, University of Mumbai, in collaboration with the Heras Institute of Indian History and Culture, Mumbai.
In her presentation, Dr. Gawde examined the transcendental dimensions of rasa-experience (rasāsvāda) within the Indian aesthetic tradition. Focusing particularly on the aesthetic philosophy of Abhinavagupta, she explored his influential interpretation of Rasa theory, which views aesthetic experience as a unique mode of consciousness transcending ordinary empirical awareness. The paper highlighted how, according to Abhinavagupta, the experience of rasa culminates in a state of universalized bliss (ānanda) that bears a striking resemblance to spiritual realization. By elucidating the intimate relationship between aesthetics and spirituality in Indian thought, Dr. Gawde demonstrated how rasāsvāda can be understood as a transformative and transcendental experience that offers a glimpse of the divine through artistic appreciation.
