In her talk, "Chitrakaavyam: Poetry Designed to Dazzle", researcher and translator, Rajani Arjun Shankar will explore Sanskrit verses composed over the past two millennia that showcase this extraordinary form of poetic ingenuity. Some verses impose elaborate restrictions on the letters or sounds that may be used; others can be arranged or represented in visual patterns, adding another dimension to the meaning of “Chitra” - “picture” or “wonder.”
The talk will also explore intriguing examples from Tamil poetry.
The online Talk in English is at 5.30 pm IST on Saturday, September 5th, 2026.
About The Speaker:
Rajani Arjun Shankar, who previously taught at "The School - KFI," currently works as a Sanskrit teacher and translator. Driven by her passion for Carnatic music, she has translated the *kritis* (compositions) of Muthuswami Dikshitar and Sadasiva Brahmendra into English, sharing them on the blogs *Guruguha Vaibhavam* and *Sadasiva Brahmendra Vaibhavam*.
As a volunteer with the NGO 'Nizhal', she has spoken on topics such as *Sthala Vrikshams* (temple trees) and the significance of trees in Tamil and Sanskrit literature. She is also actively engaged in studying and learning the *Saiva Thirumurais* and the works of Arunagirinathar through music, as well as writing articles about them.
