Shreehari Gokarnakar

Dr. Shreehari V. Gokarnakar is a distinguished Sanskrit scholar, teacher, and researcher whose career reflects a deep commitment to preserving and advancing India’s classical knowledge traditions. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Amrita Darshanam, International Centre for Spiritual Studies, Amrita School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Chennai campus, India.

Academic Journey

Dr. Gokarnakar’s academic accomplishments are rooted in a lifelong dedication to Sanskrit and the sciences of India’s intellectual heritage. He earned his Doctorate in Chandasshastram (the study of Sanskrit prosody) from Deccan College, Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, in 2019. Prior to that, he completed his M. Phil. in Chandasshastra (2010) from Y.C.M.O.U. through K. J. Somaiya Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham, Mumbai, and his Master’s degrees from both Mahakavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit Vishwa Vidyalaya, Ramtek, Nagpur and the University of Mumbai, specializing in Vyakaranashastra (Sanskrit grammar).

Interestingly, before immersing himself fully in Sanskrit studies, he also completed a Licentiate Diploma in Textile Manufacturing from Veermata Jijabai Technical Institute (V.J.T.I.), Mumbai, in 1999—showcasing his versatility and range of interests.

Teaching Career and Pedagogical Contributions

Over the course of more than two decades, Dr. Gokarnakar has shaped the learning of countless students. With 22 years of teaching experience in Sanskrit, he began as a visiting faculty member at various institutions between 1997 and 2009, and later taught at Udayachal High School, Mumbai (2009–2019), one of the city’s leading experimental schools. His teaching extended beyond classrooms into the cultural sphere, where he actively participated in numerous school-based cultural events.

He has also served as a visiting faculty at several notable institutions, including:

  • Bharat College of Fine Arts and Culture, Mumbai (2005–2019)

  • Sarfojiraje Bhosle Bharatnatyam Training and Research Centre (SBBTRC), Mumbai, where he collaborated closely with eminent Bharatnatyam exponent Dr. Sandhya Purecha on manuscript translations and research

  • Ramkrishna Bajaj Sanskrit Bhavan, University of Mumbai (2009–2012)

Through these roles, Dr. Gokarnakar has combined academic rigor with artistic expression, bridging Sanskrit literature, performance, and pedagogy.

Research, Publications, and Creative Work

As a researcher and writer, Dr. Gokarnakar has contributed extensively to Sanskrit scholarship and cultural studies. His poems and articles have appeared in respected Sanskrit periodicals such as Gunjarava, Girvanasudha, and Saparpanam. A poem on the monsoon season authored by him was selected for inclusion in the Maharashtra State Board Textbook for Std VIII.

His creative work extends into multimedia, with songs and compositions available on his YouTube channel SANSKRITSHREE and personal blog. He has written songs for music channels, documentary films, and commercial films, and even acted in the short film Young Dreams, based on India’s Independence Day. Notably, he translated and voiced a 2019 Sanskrit documentary titled Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – The Greatest.

As an editor and curriculum designer, he has served as a member of the Board of Studies (BOS) for the Maharashtra State Board, contributing to textbook framing for grade X and editorial work for grades VIII and IX. He has also been an anchor for cultural programs and arangetrams at SBBTRC and Bharat College, and a judge for competitions organized by Maharshi Vyasa Vidya Pratishthan, Mumbai.

Books and Research Contributions

Dr. Gokarnakar’s scholarly output includes co-authored works with Dr. Sandhya Purecha, such as:

  • Kalāsa Karaṇa and Sthānaka Maṇḍala Bheda from Kumbharāja’s Nṛtyaratnakoṣa (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2010)

  • A publication for Maharashtrarajya Sahitya Aani Sanskriti Mandal, Mumbai (2017)

In addition, he authored a reference book on Chandasshastra (2013) that continues to serve as a valuable resource for students and scholars. His academic interests extend across Ancient Indian sciences, manuscripts, Natya Shastra, Vyakaranashastra, Chandasshastra, Vedic and Classical Sanskrit literature, and educational methodologies with real-world applications.

Legacy and Vision

With a career that bridges scholarship, teaching, cultural preservation, and creative arts, Dr. Shreehari V. Gokarnakar exemplifies the role of a modern Sanskritist who balances tradition with contemporary engagement. His dedication to Sanskrit pedagogy, manuscript studies, literature, and performing arts continues to inspire students, scholars, and cultural practitioners across India and beyond.

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