Epic Narratives as Bridges of Knowledge: MSLU Hosts Conference on the Ramayana and Mahabharata

On March 14 and 15, 2025, Moscow State Linguistic University, in collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre at the Embassy of India in Moscow, held the international conference “The Indian Epics Ramayana and Mahabharata and Their Global Relevance.”

The event opened with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and recitations of Sanskrit shlokas by MSLU students. Welcoming remarks were delivered by MSLU Rector Irina Kraeva, Deputy Chief of Mission in Embassy of India Nikhilesh Giri, and Deputy Director of the Second Asian Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexander Kozlov. Keynote speakers included author and scholar Ami Ganatra and Professor Sergey Serebryany, PhD in Philology and Doctor of Philosophy.

The first day of the conference focused on linguistic and cultural perspectives, exploring regional adaptations of the epics across Asia and Kalmykia, as well as challenges in translating them into Russian. It concluded with a rich cultural program featuring Kathak and Kuchipudi dance performances, Sanskrit recitations, and a special art exhibition by Indian artists inspired by the epics.

The second day continued with interdisciplinary discussions on the epics' global impact—ranging from their use in education and Indian cinema to oral traditions in tribal communities and performative storytelling in Assam. A student-led session, co-hosted with MGIMO, offered fresh academic perspectives on the values and strategies embedded in both texts.

Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Madhurkankana Roy, praised the scholarly depth of the presentations and the vibrant academic exchange between Russian and Indian institutions.