Mahabharata Dialogues
The Retreat
09 May 2026 – 10 May 2026
The School of Ancient Wisdom, Bengaluru
An immersive two-day residential retreat with every moment revolving around the Mahabharata
-DAY 1-
09 May 2026
Saturday
-DAY 2-
10 May 2026
Sunday
-DAY 1-
09 May 2026
Saturday
Breakfast09:00 - 09:30
•Welcome to the Mahabharata
Setting the context and getting to know each other.
09:30 – 11:00
Tea11:00 - 11:30
•The 18 Parvas
A fun, yet deeply insightful, retelling of the Mahabharata.
11:30 – 13:00
Lunch13:00 - 14:00
•On Jyotisha
Not about predicting the future, but as “the science of light” (its originally intended meaning).
14:00 – 14:30
•Kaavad Katha
Art and craft meets storytelling: Build a Kaavad, Make some sketches, Tell a story.
14:30 – 16:00
Tea16:00 - 16:30
•The Mahabharata Project
Exploring the "voice that wins." A psychological investigation of key characters of Mahabharata: A theatre production.
16:30 – 18:30
Break18:30 - 19:00
•A walk in the park
Leisurely walk around the campus accompanied by stories (track 1) or in silence (track 2)
19:00 – 19:30
•Chitrārjuna
Classical dance performance depicting Chitra and Arjuna's encounter with the story narrated in the background
19:30 – 20:30
•Nakshatra Darshana
Peer through a telescope at heavenly bodies and hear their stories.
20:30 – 21:00
Dinner20:30 - 21:45
•Farzi Mushaira
An interactive, satirical poetry session to voice the hidden vulnerabilities of epic characters with wit.
21:45 – 22:30
•Hangout & Impromptu Stories
For the night owls who would prefer hanging around to spending 8 hours in the bed.
22:30 – 01:00
-DAY 2-
10 May 2026
Sunday
•Sky gazing
Peer into telescopes. Gaze at pristine skies. Marvel at the Moon and Saturn.
04:30 – 05:30
•Building a Warrior's Playbook
Most readings of the Gita start with Krishna's answers. This one starts with Arjuna's questions and you.
07:30 – 08:30
Breakfast07:30 - 09:30
•The Inexhaustible Quivers
A workshop exploring Arjuna’s art of building an inexhaustible toolkit to navigate any challenge life presents.
09:30 – 11:00
Tea11:00 - 11:30
•Living with the Mahabharata
It is said that in India, no one hears the Mahabharata for the first time.
11:30 – 12:30
•Fireside Chat
Mahabharata experts shares their lifelong journey with the epic.
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch13:30 - 14:30
•Bhimasena
A musical storytelling performance exploring the human side of the "gentle warrior."
14:30 – 16:00
•Promises and Goodbyes
A quick review of the retreat before tea and parting... and maybe an afterparty.
16:00 – 16:30
== Tea & Conclusion ==
