Amrutha MK is currently working as a Research Associate with the Consciousness Studies Programme (School of Humanities) at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore, India (August 2018 – Present). She is also pursuing her Ph.D. under the guidance of Prof. Sangeetha Menon, Dean & Head, School of Humanities. Her Ph.D. topic is “A Theoretical Study of Two Ethnic Performances – Tirayattam and Sarpamthullal: Interpretations using Dhvani Theory”. Her research interests span across the areas of literature and art criticism, mainly in exploring Indian aesthetic theories and performing arts. She seeks to uncover the theoretical underpinnings of aesthetic experience and pleasure following the Indian aesthetic theories developed by Ānandavardhana, Abhinavagupta, and others, through a study on the performing arts of Kerala.

Educational Background: Ph.D. (Ongoing) Thesis- “A Theoretical Study of Two Ethnic Performances – Tirayattam and Sarpamthullal: Interpretations using Dhvani Theory”, December 2018–Current.

Thesis Advisor: Prof. Sangeetha Menon, Dean & Head, School of Humanities.

Master of Arts (English), Miranda House (University of Delhi, India), 2018.

Bachelor of Arts (English), Lady Shri Ram College for Women (University of Delhi, India), 2016.

My primary research interests span across the areas of literature and art criticism, mainly in exploring Indian aesthetic theories and performing arts. My study examines the puzzle of aesthetic experience and pleasure- why do we enjoy a work of art the way we do, the way we do repeatedly, and the way we do ritualistically. It explores the constitutive elements of aesthetic pleasure inherent in the primitive forms of folk performing arts which were then transformed into various forms or expressions constrained by social and cultural factors of the period. Specifically, my study is on the evolution of the little-explored ethnic art forms Thirayattam and Sarpamthullal. After the descriptive enquiry, I would seek to understand the cognitive principles that make the cultural elements possible. Preliminary enquiry in this field led to the discovery that these ancient forms have suffered from academic neglect and that material is few and primarily factual. This study becomes fascinating when we trace the evolutionary stages of classical arts and find that they were influenced by these ethnic art forms, making an academic pursuit in this field pertinent and pivotal in furthering our knowledge of both classical and folk art. I see my focus on folk art as an equaliser of social dynamics and hope to bring attention to the richness of these unique art forms. My passion for the field began many years ago as I watched performances in our sacred groves and will remain many years hence as I work to pass on and refine my findings alongside my pursuit of academic excellence and instruction.

1. “Translations as Creative Use of Language”, Reading Glass Thematic Discussion (along with Dr. Shankar Rajaraman), Consciousness Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, 25 November 2021.
2. “Lore and legends of the sacred groves” International Summer Conference, International Institute of Applied Aesthetics, Finland, 4 June 2021. (Online).
3. “What makes art artistic?”, Quintessence of Being: Examining Existence and Experience online course conducted by the Consciousness Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies, 24 September 2020.
4. “Can We Use History for Healing?”, Reading Glass Thematic Discussion (along with Rakesh Kumar), Consciousness Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, 07 February 2020.
5. “A walk through the sacred groves of Kerala”, 43rd Indian Social sciences congress, Bangalore University, 18 January 2020.
6. “A Stroke of Resonance of Dhvani in Visual Arts” Reading Glass Lecture, Consciousness Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, 29 March 2019.
7. “Narratives of Resistance: Creating and Claiming Spaces through Performances”, Young Scholars’ Congress, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, 16 March 2019.

1. Coordinator: Reading Glass Presentation (Oct 2021 to Current)
2. Coordinator: Svastha-Rasa-Bodhini Lecture Series (May 2019- July 2020)
3. Head of LSR College Magazine design team. (2016)
4. Head of LSR Decor team. (2015- 2016)
5. Core team member in the organizing committee of Litmus, English dept fest (2016)
6. Interned with The Hindu (2015).
7. Volunteer of Child Development Programme. (2013-2014)
8. Volunteer of National Service Scheme (2011-2013)

1. Manju Bharat Ram prize for Aesthetic Engagement and Cultural Sensitivity (2016).
2. Scholarship winner of KPMG for academic excellence( 2013-2016)
3. First position in ‘Beyond words’ conducted by The English Literary Society SGBT Khalsa College (DU), (2017)
4. First position in ‘Masquerade’ and ‘Mystery box’ conducted by Adwaita, Fine arts society of Miranda House (2017)