Raimundo Panikkar: A Pilgrim Across Worlds

Raimundo Panikkar was born of an Indian Hindu father and a Catalan Catholic mother. From his early childhood he was able to adopt, cultivate, and speak of different traditions. He got doctorates in Philosophy, Science, and Theology. He had lived in India, Europe, and the USA for several years teaching and researching. About 25 books and numerous articles were published by him. He also translated an anthology of a thousand pages of texts from the Vedas. Panikkar received numerous prizes and awards. An unconventional thinker, he infringed on many dogmas and prejudices. His intellectual development between the East and the West allowed him to reflect on a continuing philosophical dialogue among different traditions and ideologies. His thought suggests a vision of harmony and concord, to discover the ‘human invariant’ without destroying cultural diversity, for the realisation of the individual in a continuing process of creation and recreation.

Kapila Vatsyayan

Late Dr Kapila Vatsyayan was a renowned art historian and Chairperson of IIC-Asia Project; Former Secretary, in the Ministry of HRD; Academic Director, IGNCA; President, IIC; Member, UNESCO Executive Board; and Member of Parliament. She had taught at various universities in India and abroad. She authored over 15 books and several research papers and monographs. Dr. Vatsyayan was winner of several awards including the Padma Vibhushan. She had been elected as Fellow of several art, music and cultural institutions in India and abroad.