SKS
Indian scholar and critic

Sushil Kumar Saxena

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Authoring influential books on Indian musicology and aesthetics including 'Hindustan Music and Aesthetics Today'.

Sushil Kumar Saxena is an Indian musicologist, academic, scholar and the author of several books on music, philosophy and aesthetics. He is a former member of the faculty of the University of Delhi and has served the University Court as a member. His works include Studies in the Metaphysics of Bradley, Hindustan Music and Aesthetics Today, Art and Philosophy: Seven Aestheticians, Croce, Dewey, Collingwood, Santayana, Ducasse Langer, Reid, and Swinging Syllables Aesthetics of Kathak Dance and his lectures have been included in a book, Indian Music: Eminent Thinkers on Core Issues ; Discourses by Premlata Sharma, S. K.

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A detail that
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Sushil Kumar Saxena's lectures were included alongside Kapila Vatsyayan's in the 2003 book 'Indian Music: Eminent Thinkers on Core Issues,' highlighting his status among leading Indian aesthetic scholars.

The Story

1
In 2007, Sushil Kumar Saxena received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, a prestigious recognition reserved for outstanding contributions to Indian musicology.
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🎓 As a faculty member at the University of Delhi, Saxena influenced generations of students with his interdisciplinary approach linking music, philosophy, and aesthetics.
3In 1988, he authored 'Ever Unto God: Essays on Gandhi and Religion,' reflecting his early engagement with philosophical thought beyond art.
4📚 His 2006 book 'Swinging Syllables: Aesthetics of Kathak Dance' offered a unique philosophical analysis of classical Indian dance, blending Susanne K. Langer's aesthetics with Indian traditions.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Sahitya Akademi Award

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Saxena's 2006 book 'Swinging Syllables' uniquely applies Susanne K. Langer's Western aesthetic theories to Kathak dance, an uncommon cross-cultural analysis in Indian scholarship.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Publication
Published 'Ever Unto God' Essays
Saxena explored Gandhi's philosophical and religious ideas in this book published by the Indian Council of Philosophical Research.
1988
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Publication
Published 'Art and Philosophy: Seven Aestheticians'
This work analyzed major Western aestheticians including Croce, Dewey, and Collingwood, bridging East-West philosophical thought.
1994
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Publication
Published on Hindustani Music and Kathak
His book brought together Hindustani music, rhythm, and Kathak dance with Susanne K. Langer’s aesthetics.
2001
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Publication
Published 'Swinging Syllables: Kathak Aesthetics'
Focused on the aesthetics of Kathak dance, this work applied modern philosophical frameworks to traditional Indian dance forms.
2006
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Award
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
Awarded this fellowship for his scholarly contributions to Indian musicology and aesthetics.
2007
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Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan by Government of India
Recognized for his contributions to Indian music, Saxena received the third highest civilian award in India.
2008
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Publication
Published 'Studies in the Metaphysics of Bradley'
This book revisited British idealist philosophy, showing his engagement with Western metaphysical thought.
2014
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

In 1988, Saxena explored Gandhi's religious philosophy in 'Ever Unto God,' indicating his diverse scholarly interests beyond musicology.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

His inclusion in the 2003 publication 'Indian Music: Eminent Thinkers on Core Issues' alongside Kapila Vatsyayan marks his prominence in Indian aesthetic studies.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Saxena received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2007, an honor given to only a select few scholars in the arts sector in India.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Saxena's work bridged Indian classical music and Western philosophical aesthetics, enriching academic discourse at institutions like the University of Delhi. His detailed studies on Kathak dance aesthetics influenced both scholars and practitioners, fostering renewed interest in classical arts through a philosophical lens. His recognition by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Padma Bhushan helped institutionalize the study of aesthetics in Indian musicology.

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