Vishwa Adluri

Vishwa holds PhDs from the New School and University of Marburg, Germany. He recently published The Nay Science (Oxford University Press) and is the author of many books and articles. Dr. Adluri teaches courses on: Approaches to Religion, Indian Philosophy, Christian Theology, Mysticism, Hinduism, art history and The Religious Meaning of Death. He has been thinking about Space, Time, and Death since he was 5.

Past Olios with Vishwa Adluri

But is it Art?
While museums are shut down and travel is restricted, let's voyage to India by watching a short film by an Indian artist, together. We will then theorize about this film guided by some questions and context about art history. We'll go beyond the culture and the country in this film and look at what happens when we ask certain questions of art.

Venue: None

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

July 30, 2020, 7 p.m.

Plato Goes East: The Republic and The Bhagavad Gita
Plato asserts that philosophical education is the crucial factor in creating a just society. Likewise, the central question of the Bhagavad Gita is "dharma" or justice. In these trying times, we are organizing this study so we may understand protest, violence, the just fight, and individual responsibility.

Venue: None

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

June 14, 2020, noon

Technology & Desire: Learning From the Ancients
In this Olio, we will explore the concept of ethics in a time of complete upheaval. Containing a critique of technology, rampant materialism, and self-serving individualism, the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata appears surprisingly contemporary. It offers philosophical insight into how humans can flourish in a troubled time. Let's discuss if these insights hold true for today's situation.

Venue: None

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

May 15, 2020, 8 p.m.

Anti-Education
What do we want out of a modern university? What kind of education supports the growth of an ethical and creative individual and community? We'll look to some of Nietzsche’s prophetic lectures to understand what's gone awry in the university and how it might be transformed.

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

Nov. 22, 2019, 7 p.m.

Art or Image?
Vishwa Adluri draws parallels from ancient Greek and Indian myth all the way to modern Dada art, in order to see if we can completely rethink the relationship between art and reality.

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

April 25, 2019, 7 p.m.

Time, Desire, and Action: Ramayana and The Cosmic Game
This Olio will explore the epic’s manipulation of time, narration, desire and action to demonstrate the fragility and paramount importance to ethical action.

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

Sept. 21, 2018, 7 p.m.

Unburdening the Earth: Hinduism and Ecology
Are we, humans, responsible stewards of our home, the Earth? Or are we a burden upon it?

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

June 22, 2018, 7 p.m.

Turning the Soul: Humanities and the Hero's Journey
We'll take up the battle between instinct and knowledge and the role it plays in humanities today. Applying the hero's journey to the teacher-student dynamic makes room for a fulfilling and transformative kind of education.

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

Oct. 27, 2017, 7 p.m.

Dharma in a Crumbling Democracy: Ancient Wisdom for Troubling Times
Containing a critique of technology, rampant materialism and self-serving individualism, the Mahabharata appears surprisingly contemporary.

Venue: Strand Bookstore

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

March 24, 2017, 7 p.m.

Dharma and Desire: Persephone & The Ramayana

Venue: Chinatown Soup

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

July 28, 2016, 7:30 p.m.

Culture of Desire: The Oedipus Myth and Modernity

Venue: Round K

Teacher: Vishwa Adluri

June 23, 2016, 7:30 p.m.

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Olio: A miscellaneous collection of art and literature.