Dr Sudha G discussed Indian literature through the ages, as an uninterrupted flow of knowledge. She explained the evolution of the intricate methods involved in this transmission. In the beginning, through oral tradition, a multitude of knowledge was transferred by learning scriptures, myths, epics, etc. There were professional storytellers who were attached to temples who were an integral part of this oral tradition. They traveled from villages to villages, told and retold stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata in public spaces. Their sophisticated interpretive skills ensured the effective communication of even complex ideas to common people. However, Vedic knowledge is transmitted in a more complex, highly sophisticated, elaborate way. These foolproof methods involved in learning and memorizing these compositions ensured the uninterrupted flow of knowledge in its purest form through the ages.

Then gradually written text came out. Written scripts were found on rocks, palm leaves, and paper. One can find such manuscripts in different parts of Asia even today. For instance, Gilgit manuscripts were the oldest surviving manuscripts in India. India is a diverse country with a huge number of languages. One should wonder how the Vedic literature transcends even with this plurality of languages. It is through these complex methods of learning it gets transferred. On the contrary, epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata got different versions in different languages and different parts of the country. 

Dr. Sudha went on to narrate the story of Nala and Damayanti in a profound way as an example of how a small story of a large epic gets evolved in literature and transmitted over the ages. She presented it with a series of artworks that depicted the story in a vivid way. See images below 

Participants were provided a literal wealth of knowledge about Indian literature through the ages.