Sunil Jalihal
Co-Founder, CEO - Indic Inspirations
Objects as Stories: Aucitya in Product Design, Craft and Material Culture
In-person
Aucitya Pune Edition
A One-Day Workshop on Product Design, User Experience and Creative Thinking
This edition of Aucitya, explores how frameworks of Indian aesthetics can inform product design across industries, from technology and media to education and cultural entrepreneurship. Through lecture-demonstrations, product showcases and interactive exercises, participants will discover how Aucitya can become a framework for user experience, storytelling and innovation.
INR 2500 (+ 18% GST)
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Course Fees
INR 2500 (+ 18% GST)
Overview
Introduction
The Indian knowledge tradition understands creativity as the harmonious alignment of truth (satya), beauty (saundarya) and purpose (dharma). This principle of appropriateness, of knowing what is fitting, meaningful and contextually relevant is called Aucitya.
In an age shaped by algorithms, short attention span, constant novelty and unbridled consumerism, design often prioritizes utility and engagement over meaning and sustainability. Yet, every product, whether a digital interface, a physical object, a service, or a brand experience, carries within it assumptions about human relationships, memory, aesthetics and value. The challenge before contemporary creators is to build products that have efficient functionality along with giving experiences that are meaningful and resonant.
This edition of Aucitya, explores how frameworks of Indian aesthetics can inform product design across industries, from technology and media to education and cultural entrepreneurship. Through lecture-demonstrations, product showcases and interactive exercises, participants will discover how Aucitya can become a framework for user experience, storytelling and innovation.
Inspired by the pedagogical vision of Aucitya as an aesthetic theory of creativity and communication, the workshop examines how cultural intelligence can shape contemporary design practice.
In Association with Indic Inspirations
Program Details
Highlights
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Industry-Focused Learning — Digital, Product, Content and Film
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Indian Aesthetics for Contemporary Design
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Theory, Discussions and Product Showcases
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Hands-on Creative Exercises
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Peer Learning and Networking
Programme Journey, Curriculum and Modules
1
Introduction and Lamp Lighting
10:00 AM - 10.15 AM
2
Regenerative Tech and Product Design - A Dharma Centric Approach
Facilitator: Shri Raghava Krishna - 10:15 AM - 12:00 Noon
- Can Indian Knowledge Systems shape contemporary innovation?
- Design ethics in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
- Technology through the lens of Dharma
- Participants will work in groups to conceptualise a product or service using Aucitya as the central design framework. Each group can choose an industry for which they solve a problem, create an emotional experience with aesthetics, ethics and the cultural principles discussed.
3
Tea Break
12:00 Noon - 12:15 PM
4
Aucitya in Design: Rasa and Bhava in Product Design and User Experience
Facilitator: Shri Narahari Rao - 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
- Can user experience evoke rasa?
- What makes an interaction meaningful and memorable?
- How do aesthetics shape trust and behaviour?
- Designing interfaces rooted in attention, rhythm and human psychology
- Digital products and apps
- Entertainment and media
- Gaming
- Education technology
- Participants will analyse everyday digital products through the lens of rasa, identifying where emotion, symbolism and experience intersect.
5
Lunch Break
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
6
Objects as Stories: Aucitya in Product Design, Craft and Material Culture
Facilitator: Shri Sunil Jalihal - 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
- How objects become carriers of stories and values
- Translating Indian aesthetics into contemporary product design
- The role of symbolism, craftsmanship and narrative in corporate gifting
- Balancing utility, beauty and authenticity
- Creating products that evoke belonging and cultural continuity
- Participants will engage with a curated showcase of products inspired by Indian history, culture and lived traditions, examining:
- The research process behind each object
- Material choices and symbolism
- How objects can communicate Bharat's civilizational story
- Participants will work in groups to conceptualize, a corporate gift, or a museum souvenir, or a lifestyle object, using Aucitya as the framework for aesthetics, functionality and storytelling.
7
Tea Break
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM
8
Aucitya in Creative Industries
Facilitator: Shri Vishal Chaturvedi - 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
- Translating values into visual language
- Brand identity through cultural storytelling
- Symbolism, narrative and meaning in design
- Communicating with Aucitya
- Social media and digital communication
- Film and content creation
- Branding and advertising
- Participants will redesign an existing campaign or write a short film using Indian aesthetic principles.
Who is this workshop for?
- Product designers and UX practitioners
- Entrepreneurs and founders
- Communication/Film professionals/Storytellers
- Educators and researchers
- Anyone interested in Indian Knowledge Systems and culture-led innovation
Outcomes
- Apply the principles of Aucitya to contemporary design
- Design for meaningful user experiences
- Use Rasa, Bhāva and Dharma in creative practice
- Translate cultural ideas into products and stories
- Create with greater aesthetic and ethical clarity
Vishal Chaturvedi
Filmmaker and Director
Aucitya in Creative Industries
Raghava Krishna
Founder & CEO
Regenerative Tech and Product Design - A Dharma Centric Approach
Narahari Rao
Founder - VRTAM Studios
Aucitya in Design: Rasa and Bhava in Product Design and User Experience
What Participants Say
"Very happy to have been able to attend the Bangalore Chapter of Aucitya. There was novelty, exposure to modern approaches and creative thinking - all for rediscovering & showcasing the gems of our heritage. Newer dimensions such as content which may be a physical entity or an experience, bridging the seeming conflict between authenticity & empathy - were some of the nuances that this session showcased. My sincere gratitude to Sri. Raghava Krishna and to Srushti & Nivedita besides the entire Brhat team for facilitating yet another interesting learning experience. Happy to have also interacted with a number of like-minded individuals with a common passion- namely IKS."
Dr. Mrinalini Menon
Professor
"I flew down from Mumbai just for today's Aucitya workshop simply because of the trust and love I have for Team Brhat and their work. I heard Raghava Sir speak for the first time today and it is truly unforgettable. Witnessing the vast and vivid work of various IKS entrepreneurs, I felt wonder and relief at the same time. I am always passionate about doing something in IKS because it comes from something deep rooted but now there is also a sense of wonder,and a brain that is flowering with ideas of the endless possibilities IKS has to offer on this vast canvas of life. Truly grateful to team Brhat and all my co participants. "
Koustubh Ladwa
Entrepreneur and IKS student
"Attending the Aucitya Workshop was a deeply enriching experience for me. It offered a fresh perspective on how timeless Bharatiya wisdom can bring clarity, purpose, and authenticity to our personal and professional journeys. I came away inspired by the depth of the discussions and grateful for the opportunity to learn from such knowledgeable speakers."
Madhura A S
Head of Marketing at Agastya Gurukulam
"Raghava Sir, Srushti Joshi and Nivedita Tiwari Ji thank you for organizing such a meaningful session. The clarity with which you shared the vision behind Aucitya was truly inspiring. A big thank you to all the speakers as well. It was wonderful meeting so many passionate people building for Bharat. Hearing everyone’s journey filled me with hope, respect, and even more motivation to contribute. Looking forward to learning and collaborating with this amazing batch. "
Riya Jain
Product designer
"Srushti Joshi ji, Raghava Sir Brhat ji and the Brhat team. Thanks for organizing the session. Felt the day was spent useful and gave us hope to explore further. A sincere thanks to all speakers for sharing their wisdom. Inspiring. Looking forward to collaborate and learn from our batch participants as we move forward. Happy Innovating! Jai Sri Ram."
Arunaa ES
Edtech
Aucitya Pune Edition
INR 2500 (+ 18% GST)
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